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Day of Rebellion for the ERA

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The Day of Rebellion for the ERA was an event in 1982 organized by activists in support of the Equal Rights Amendment during the final struggle for ratification in Illinois.[1]

A flyer promoting the Day of Rebellion
Mary Lee Sargent holding a pro-Equal Rights Amendment banner

Overview of the event[edit]

The Day of Rebellion occurred on June 3, 1982.[2] It was modeled after the militant wing of the women's suffrage movement and organized a group known as A Grassroots Group of Second Class Citizens. Direction action activities included the women chaining themselves to the entrance of the Senate chamber.[1] Participant May Lee Sargent from Champaign, Illinois said, "In the suffrage movement, this is called a militant demonstration."[1] The group occupied the capital for four days.[3] Some of the women even slept in their chains.[4]

Roughly 200 people took part in this direction action. [5] The women loudly encouraged legislators to free them from discrimination based on sex.[5] They chanted "equality now, break our chains" and "we want ERA."[6] This demonstration took place alongside a fast known as Women Hunger for Justice.[7]

Participants[edit]

17 people participated in this event.[1] Active participants included:

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Chained ERA Supporters Stage "Day of Rebellion" In Senate". Logansport Pharos-Tribune. June 4, 1982.
  2. ^ a b c Schoenburg, Bernie (June 2, 1982). "ERA Fasters to Join at Home". The Pantograph.
  3. ^ a b Fauxsmith, Jennifer. "Research Guides: Protest Movements and Civil Disobedience: Archival Collections--Individuals". guides.library.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  4. ^ a b "ERA Supporters in Illinois Sleep in Capital, Some Still in Chains". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. June 4, 1982.
  5. ^ a b "Equal Rights Amendment Has Stalled in Illinois". Santa Cruz Sentinel. June 4, 1982.
  6. ^ "ERA Protesters, Draped in Chains, Barricade Senate". Herald and Review. June 4, 1982.
  7. ^ "ERA Backers Don Chains". The Salina Journal. June 4, 1982.
  8. ^ "ERA Backers Chained". Journal Gazette. June 4, 1982.