The Women’s March on Washington faced backlash Monday after reports circulated that anti-abortion group New Wave Feminists had been granted partnership status.
Now organizers of the march are saying that the group was added as a partner in error and are making it very clear that the march will stay in line with the values stated in its policy platform. That platform includes a call for “open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people, regardless of income, location or education.”
On Monday, many women expressed dismay that the march would include a partner that opposes abortion access:
The Women’s March on Washington released a statement Monday evening on Twitter and Facebook: “The Women’s March platform is pro-choice and that has been our stance from day one.” The statement also said that “the anti-choice organization in question is not a partner of the Women’s March on Washington.”
Read the full statement below.
New Wave Feminists, a group that describes itself as “badass pro-life feminists” who “are here to take feminism back from those who have corrupted it,” responded on Facebook with a statement of its own:
It appears the “(certain) Women’s March on Washington” has pulled us as a partner.
Oh, well. I’m not loosing any sleep over it. Felt a little too corporate being “offically included” anyway. I mean, who do they think we are PP & NARAL? {insert money bag emoji here}
Also, yes my Christmas tree is still up. In the words of Cartman, “get over it.”
More than 199,000 people have indicated on Facebook that they plan to attend the Women’s March on Washington.