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On March 13, Mothers March Globally for recognition of work, protest DHS
by
Mary Kalyna | 03.13.2010
On Saturday March 13, Philadelphia women joined with mothers around the world in "Mothers March Globally" to mark International Women’s Day and the 11th Global Women's Strike, focusing their protest here on the unjust removal of children by the Department of Human Services. Mothers March Globally events took place around the world, including in Guyana, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Turkey, the UK and Venezuela, echoing the demands of the Global Women’s Strike that society “Invest in Caring, Not Killing,” beginning with payment for caring work, including for the first carers: mothers. In Philadelphia, a 12 noon press conference featured mothers fighting to get their children back from DHS, former social workers, mothers working for justice for loved ones in prison, grand- and great-grandmothers, Katrina survivors, and men in support including fathers and other carers, plus greetings from other Mothers March events in other countries. A march to DHS and Family Court will followed. Full Press Release | Background | Related: International Women's Day in the Philippines  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Info: Mary Kalyna 215-776-1004
What: “Mothers March Globally”
When: Saturday March 13, 2010
Press conference: 12 noon Arch St United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St
March kick-off: 12:15pm weather permitting to Phila DHS (1515 Arch), Family Court (1801 Vine), Support Center for Child Advocates (1900 Cherry)
Video & SpeakOut: 1-4pm, Arch St United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St
Sponsored by: Global Women’s Strike & Every Mother is a Working Mother Network
Philly “Mothers March Globally” for recognition of work, protest DHS
On Saturday March 13, Philadelphia women will join mothers around the world in "Mothers March Globally" to mark International Women’s Day and the 11th Global Women's Strike, focusing their protest here on the unjust removal of children by Phila Dept of Human Services.
A 12noon press conference will feature mothers fighting to get their children back from DHS, former social workers, mothers working for justice for loved ones in prison, grand- and great-grandmothers, Katrina survivors, and men in support including fathers and other carers, plus greetings from other Mothers March events in other countries.
“Mothering is hard work. The survival of the human race depends on the caring work of mothers. But we get no recognition or support. Only blame when things go wrong,” said Phoebe Jones of Global Women’s Strike/Phila, one of the organizers. “Mothers from all walks of life will speak out for valuing all the work we contribute to society.”
The action is co-sponsored by the Every Mother is a Working Mother Network (EMWM), coordinator of “DHS – Give Us Back Our Children,” a multi-racial group of mothers and advocates fighting for children to be returned from foster care and campaigning for DHS to change policies and practices to reunite and keep children with their families wherever possible. The group was recently featured in front page stories in the Philadelphia Daily News (“Is home where the heart is?” and “Group of mothers with common foe: DHS”), whose readers’ poll – “Should lack of a permanent home force a parent to separate from a child?” – found that most people feel “No, this is a travesty” (52%) and only 18% said yes.
“Our work raising kids is not recognized and the bond of mother and child is not valued by DHS, which moves kids around like so many sacks of potatoes, as if who is caring for them means nothing,” said Pat Albright of EMWM, who recently spoke in Washington to demand that welfare legislation recognize that raising children is work.
Albright added, “One in three children placed in foster care faces sexual abuse. All face trauma. We must end this suffering now.” The group recently met with DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose to press for changes.
Overwhelmingly children in foster care in Philadelphia are Black, removed mainly not for reasons of abuse or neglect, but of poverty, in a city where 40% live in poverty. Housing is one of the biggest excuses; one-third of kids could be home now if their parents had decent housing. DHS spends $34,000 per year per child in care. “Give mothers the money DHS pays to take children from them,” says Debra Sealy, whose two children were removed by DHS.
Following the press conference, the March will proceed (weather permitting) to DHS at 1515 Arch St, then to Family Court at 1801 Vine St. A 1pm indoor program begins with food, a sneak preview of the documentary video DHS – Give Us Back Our Children, and a SpeakOut.
Mothers March Globally events are taking place around the world, including in Guyana, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Turkey, the UK and Venezuela, echoing the demands of the Global Women’s Strike that society “Invest in Caring, Not Killing,” beginning with payment for caring work, including for the first carers: mothers. www.globalwomenstrike.net
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