Press Conference: Congresswoman Cori Bush, The Feminist Front, Young Feminist Party and ERA Coalition, Demand Action on the Equal Rights Amendment
December 09, 2024
The ERA Coalition launches, "The Legacy We Deserve: ERA Now - Call on Biden to Put the Equal Rights Amendment in the Constitution"
Press Releases
November 14, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: vochoa@eracoalition.org
Washington, DC - Today, we are launching The Legacy We Deserve: ERA Now, an urgent campaign to call on President Joe Biden to take final action on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and secure gender equality in the U.S. Constitution. With the ERA ratified by the required 38 states, the amendment has met all criteria to become part of the Constitution. Yet, it remains in procedural limbo, awaiting publication. This campaign seeks to rally public support for immediate action to ensure that the ERA is published and that gender equality is enshrined in our foundational document.
Why the ERA is Urgent Now
The recent re-election of Donald Trump amplifies the importance of the ERA. During his previous term, the Trump administration actively blocked the ERA from publication and rolled back protections for women, despite the amendment’s ratification. Now, with a limited timeframe before a new administration takes office, The Legacy We Deserve: ERA Now campaign urges President Biden to take this final, historic step to make gender equality a constitutional right.
Publishing the ERA would create constitutional protections against gender-based discrimination, providing a stronger basis to fight gender-based violence, pay inequality, and other forms of discrimination that disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups. Without formal recognition, these issues remain challenging to address under existing legal frameworks, leaving basic rights vulnerable to shifting political agendas.
"We have a chance to secure gender equality in the Constitution before they take away more of our rights. We must all come together to push for the ERA now!" said Zakiya Thomas, President and CEO of the ERA Coalition. "With all legal requirements fulfilled, we ask President Biden to do everything possible to make the ERA part of his legacy, to ensure that gender equality is subject to politics, but is permanently protected by the Constitution."
A Legacy of Equality and Justice
Throughout his career, President Biden has been an advocate for gender equality, and his support of the ERA reflects his commitment to this cause. By ensuring the publication of the ERA before his term ends, President Biden can make the ERA part of his lasting legacy and reaffirm America’s commitment to equality for all.
If the ERA becomes part of the Constitution, it would be a strong protection against discrimination on the basis of sex. Basic human rights shouldn’t be left at riskOver the next 66 days, we are calling on everyone who supports gender equality to contact the White House and request that the ERA be published.
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The ERA Coalition is a movement of movements, comprising over 300 partner organizations nationwide, and representing 80 million individuals. We advocate for transformative change and spearhead both community and political movements aimed at securing Constitutional recognition. We increase public understanding of the need for codifying the equal treatment of people on the basis of sex in the Constitution, and the need to end sex inequality in all its forms. This is what unites us all.