Members of KWRU sentenced for trying to protect victims of domestic violence

Before Christmas, 6 members of KWRU were taken to jail in Philadelphia for protesting for the human right to housing for seven families, mothers and children, victims of domestic violence. Cheri Honkala, the founder of KWRU, herself a survivor of domestic violence, and one of the other mothers were given serious legal charges and PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE CITY HALL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA (this is something without precedent).

On March 1st, ironically the first day of Women's History Month (and one week before International Women's Day), preliminary hearings will be held to decide if the cases against the women should be held.

In Philadelphia, there is a crisis because there is a lack of space in the shelters for victims of domestic violence and their children. They are putting these families in public homeless shelters, putting in danger all of the residents of the shelters. Many women, since they don't have anywhere to flee with their children (since they don't have the economic resources for another place), see themselves forced to stay in dangerous situations.

At the beginning of February, a member of KWRU had to go to the hospital as a result of being beaten by her partner, because for a lack of economic resources she had to return to an abusive household with her children. A few days after this incident, KWRU and other sister organizations in Philadelphia carried out a protest demanding that the city face this dangerous crisis.

In spite of the fact that KWRU and its supporters have protested numerous times in support of the companeras, and to demand housing for victims of domestic violence, they continue pressing charges against these women.

We ask for your solidarity for the companeras while we go to court on March 1st.

Urgent letter from Cheri Honkala requesting support

Dear Friends,

I have been active in the fight for low-income women for years now. KWRU and I personally were the first in the nation to testify before congress on the impact of welfare reform to poor women. We have been instrumental in working with shelter providers around the country in addressing the
economics of violence and the need for domestic violence work to include affordable housing as a priority on everyone's agendas.

We were the first to hold demonstrations in Philadelphia on the impact of welfare reform to victims of domestic violence at the center district
welfare office. Our work helped to pave the way for a statewide body to monitor these issues. Everyday for years now we have kept women alive when Women Against Abuse had reached capacity. We are on a first name basis with Judges and police because we have secured so many protection orders and literally helped hundreds of women pack up and leave.

So today, I call upon you for your help. Once again, I face criminal charges for demonstrating without a permit at City Hall before the holidays for seven victims of domestic violence. The city offered no safety for these women so six of us were arrested and went to jail. I now face a misdemeanor in the third degree, a point away from a felony and was issued a STAY AWAY ORDER FROM CITY HALL!

I have missed many important meetings with city council members as a result. What is so terrible about all of this is that I just won a settlement against the Philadelphia Police Department after their last unlawful arrest.

Please join myself and KWRU at 8 am on March 1st at the Criminal Justice Center, the day we are expected to stand trial for demonstrating.

Signed,

Cheri Honkala
Founder, KWRU
National Organizer, Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign