SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 23

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Howie C. Morales

A JOINT MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 14, 2014 AS "ONE BILLION RISING FOR JUSTICE DAY" IN THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, one billion rising for justice was initiated to demand justice and to end impunity for acts of violence against women and girls; and

     WHEREAS, there are seven billion people on the planet, and one out of three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime, which means more than one billion women will be affected; and

     WHEREAS, one billion rising is an invitation to demand justice, a call to men and women to rise, release and dance, a call for an end to impunity and a call to take action against a rape culture and violence in its many forms against women and girls; and

     WHEREAS, one billion rising recognizes that violence against women cannot end without looking at the intersection of poverty, racism, war, the plunder of the environment, capitalism, imperialism and patriarchy; and

     WHEREAS, injustice lives at the heart of these interlocking forces, and laws must establish boundaries to end the many pathways of abuse; and

     WHEREAS, because violence has no boundaries, legal means must be used to end violence; and

     WHEREAS, justice must be ensured for everyone regardless of economic or social status, with no discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or age; and

     WHEREAS, one billion rising for justice will demonstrate empowerment through a dance revolution and is inviting all women and men to walk out, dance, rise up and demand justice and to end violence; and

     WHEREAS, all men and women are encouraged to seek justice, to embrace survivors and to encourage healing through embracing "just live, just love and just art"; and

     WHEREAS, one billion rising for justice will use art to transform thinking and to inspire women and men across New Mexico to ask for lasting social and cultural change; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's judicial efforts to strengthen the justice system and stand in solidarity to support all efforts across the globe are applauded;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 14, 2014 be proclaimed "One Billion Rising for Justice Day" in the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that One Billion Rising for Justice Day be recognized as an event dedicated to seeking justice for all survivors of violence, including rape, battery, incest, domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that One Billion Rising for Justice Day honor all New Mexico residents, in all of their diversity; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the many state organizations that serve women and girls be honored for their contributions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico coalition of sexual assault programs.

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