The city vote was a profound injustice and violation of the women's rights. But the women are continuing in their struggle. Now, more than ever, we ask the community to support the women's struggle. Come and spend time and money at Mercado Mayapan, and bring all of your friends and families. Let's show City Council how wrong their vote was!!
Members of El Paso City Council denied funding for the creation of a business incubator in Mercado Mayapan. The incubator would have trained women to create their own business and would have provided support and space for the business.
City Representative Holguin led the anti woman rally insisting for proof of sustainability which was provided. The interrogation included ridiculous questions which were not asked of other applicants. “If you took away all government money would you be able to sustain yourself?” was one question. That question was never asked of the other applicants who are not self sustaining and survive from government funding.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Urgent: City Council to vote on womans human rights!
URGENT:
3PM
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22
2ND FLOOR CITY HALL
On Tuesday, City Council will vote on the human right of women workers and their families in El Paso to have an economic future with dignity and justice.
For many years La Mujer Obrera has been dedicated to defending and promoting these rights.
For the past 10 years we have worked to create jobs, businesses and income for/with women and their families, to demonstrate the potential of the women who had been judged to be “unfortunate but necessary casualties” of the economic policies of this country and city.
For the past four months we have operated a Mercado that not only employs more than 100 women but also serves as a future for their families, and a means to transform the Chamizal barrio, all rooted in the dignity of their own heritage, history, lives and contributions.
For the past two weeks, the women, with the support of the community, have been operating the Mercado full-time, as volunteers, as a demonstration of their commitment and determination to create a pathway for themselves out of poverty, and as a protest against government inaction and injustice.
BUT TODAY, Friday, city staff released their recommendations, disparaging the women’s efforts and calling for the organization to OPERATE FULLY FOR 3 MONTHS, before receiving any reimbursement for expenses generated through the city funded project.
The decision is now in the hands of City Council. Will they vote in support of the women and their determination to create a future for themselves and their families? Or will they side with City staff, and perpetuate the discrimination and marginalization that the women have been subjected to for decades?
Acknowledging the commitment of the women, on September 9, the Empowerment Zone committee voted unanimously to fund Mercado Mayapan, without any other conditions. Since then, the City staff has imposed the onerous conditions on the approved funding without informing the committee, the women or the general public.
Tuesday’s City Council meeting and vote are a referendum on the status of women workers in El Paso, who are already in crisis. Earlier this summer, we saw Planned Parenthood, a vital service for low-income women, close without a word of protest. Now, one of the few organizations in El Paso creating jobs and businesses with low-income women is threatened with elimination.
It is imperative that everyone who supports women workers’ human rights to a future with dignity and justice attend City Council Tuesday. Those who can’t attend should contact their City representative and the Mayor and express their concern. Urgent action is needed. The future of women workers’ rights in El Paso is at stake
3PM
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22
2ND FLOOR CITY HALL
On Tuesday, City Council will vote on the human right of women workers and their families in El Paso to have an economic future with dignity and justice.
For many years La Mujer Obrera has been dedicated to defending and promoting these rights.
For the past 10 years we have worked to create jobs, businesses and income for/with women and their families, to demonstrate the potential of the women who had been judged to be “unfortunate but necessary casualties” of the economic policies of this country and city.
For the past four months we have operated a Mercado that not only employs more than 100 women but also serves as a future for their families, and a means to transform the Chamizal barrio, all rooted in the dignity of their own heritage, history, lives and contributions.
For the past two weeks, the women, with the support of the community, have been operating the Mercado full-time, as volunteers, as a demonstration of their commitment and determination to create a pathway for themselves out of poverty, and as a protest against government inaction and injustice.
BUT TODAY, Friday, city staff released their recommendations, disparaging the women’s efforts and calling for the organization to OPERATE FULLY FOR 3 MONTHS, before receiving any reimbursement for expenses generated through the city funded project.
The decision is now in the hands of City Council. Will they vote in support of the women and their determination to create a future for themselves and their families? Or will they side with City staff, and perpetuate the discrimination and marginalization that the women have been subjected to for decades?
Acknowledging the commitment of the women, on September 9, the Empowerment Zone committee voted unanimously to fund Mercado Mayapan, without any other conditions. Since then, the City staff has imposed the onerous conditions on the approved funding without informing the committee, the women or the general public.
Tuesday’s City Council meeting and vote are a referendum on the status of women workers in El Paso, who are already in crisis. Earlier this summer, we saw Planned Parenthood, a vital service for low-income women, close without a word of protest. Now, one of the few organizations in El Paso creating jobs and businesses with low-income women is threatened with elimination.
It is imperative that everyone who supports women workers’ human rights to a future with dignity and justice attend City Council Tuesday. Those who can’t attend should contact their City representative and the Mayor and express their concern. Urgent action is needed. The future of women workers’ rights in El Paso is at stake
Support Needed at El Paso City Council
Your support is needed at El Paso City Council! (Please become a follower of this blog)
El Paso City Council will be voting on Empowerment Zone funds for Mercado Mayapan on Tuesday, September 22. THESE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS, NOT CITY GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS. These are funds that came to the City more than 10 years ago in the name of these women workers and their conditions.
The EZ funding is item 12 and will be heard at 3pm in City council chambers 2nd floor City Hall. Please plan to attend at 3pm and help spread the word. Also if someone can not attend City Council, please have them contact their City Representative and the Mayor by email or phone prior to Tuesday at 3pm. Email, phone and fax info for city reps and the mayor are at
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/government.asp
It is URGENT that all community supporters of the women’s struggle for justice and a future with dignity attend this council meeting and show their support
If you are not in El Paso you can help too: please seee WOMEN WORKERS ON THE BORDER: HIDDEN CASUALTIES OF ECONOMIC CRISIS at La Mujer Obrera webpage
http://www.mujerobrera.org/
Check our links at the bottom of the page for important information nationally
Thanks for your continued support
El Paso City Council will be voting on Empowerment Zone funds for Mercado Mayapan on Tuesday, September 22. THESE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS, NOT CITY GENERAL OPERATING FUNDS. These are funds that came to the City more than 10 years ago in the name of these women workers and their conditions.
The EZ funding is item 12 and will be heard at 3pm in City council chambers 2nd floor City Hall. Please plan to attend at 3pm and help spread the word. Also if someone can not attend City Council, please have them contact their City Representative and the Mayor by email or phone prior to Tuesday at 3pm. Email, phone and fax info for city reps and the mayor are at
http://www.elpasotexas.gov/government.asp
It is URGENT that all community supporters of the women’s struggle for justice and a future with dignity attend this council meeting and show their support
If you are not in El Paso you can help too: please seee WOMEN WORKERS ON THE BORDER: HIDDEN CASUALTIES OF ECONOMIC CRISIS at La Mujer Obrera webpage
http://www.mujerobrera.org/
Check our links at the bottom of the page for important information nationally
Thanks for your continued support
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