In keeping with this year’s International Women’s Day theme “Inspiring Change,” WORD L.A. held a rally today at Pershing Square in downtown L.A. decrying the arrest of Marissa Alexander and her forthcoming trial. The Florida mother is African American and a survivor of domestic violence. Under the state’s mandatory minimum sentencing law, she was sentenced to 20 years for defending herself against her abuser in the same state that allowed George Zimmerman to walk free after he murdered Trayvon Martin, 17, on February 26, 2012.
Marissa’s original sentence has been thrown out but she’s now facing 60 years in prison. Protestors today, in honor of International Women’s Day 2014 (March 8) and National Women’s History Month, convened on S. Olive Street and marched around the block in unison chanting:
“Women’s rights are under attack – what do we do? Stand up fight back! – Drop all charges against Marissa Alexander!”
Check out the gallery of supporters of women’s rights and Marissa Alexander’s freedom.
