A worthy cause.

Last Wednesday I got in on some activist action. I rallied with women in front of the Congreso building (translation: Congress building, for all you non-Spanish speakers, ahem Faja Fink), arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in Buenos Aires, to promote the government's legalization of abortion. Tons of people were there-- from the Casa del Encuentro, where I volunteer, to Pan y Rosas (Bread and Roses organization), and even a senator!: Maria Rachid, whom I mistakenly took her for just a normal woman, and, rather than thank for all the progressive reforms she pushes through to el Congreso, I admired the adorable baby girl sleeping in her arms...whoops?

Anyway my professor from the health class I'm taking at la UBA (U. of Buenos Aires) heads the Campaña Nacional Por el Derecho al Aborto Legal, Seguro, y Gratuito. She actually is one of the top founders of this movement so it was pretty cool to hear her speak.  According to the blog, "close to 500,000 women per year go through illegal abortions, and 3,000 of them have died because of them." This is why their slogan runs something like this (a literal translation really doesn't work too well): "Legal Abortion, a debt owed by the democracy." 

Here are some photos of the afternoon:

Beautiful day for a rally.

That's my teacher holding the mic: Elsa Schvartsman 

Some signs. Blue sky.

Sitting down in the middle of Avenida Entre Rios, in front of Congreso

The opposing force. What strength they show!

The next big rally is on November 1st! Show up if you can!