City Manager Sheryl Sculley and City Attorney Michael Bernard confer with a pro-demolition advocate. District 5 Councilman David Medina grinned through the proceedings.

Pink Building discussion at City Council meeting on June 16. Photos by Antonia Padilla

'Pink building' cleared for demolition
San Antonio Express-News, June 17, 2011
The City Council voted unanimously Thursday to deny historic status to the Casa Maldonado, also known as the “pink building,” despite pleas from preservationists to protect one of the West Side's cultural markers. Esperanza Peace & Justice Center Director Graciela Sanchez, whose organization supported a historic designation, chided District 5 City Councilman David Medina for what she perceived as lack of leadership. She said Medina took far too long to stake out his position on the issue, leaving the rest of the council waiting for his lead on an issue in the heart of his district.

Images from last year's Woman's Day March. All photos by Antonia Padilla

"Without Borders" is theme for woman’s day march
QSanAntonio.com, February 19, 2011

Organizers of the 2011 San Antonio International Woman’s Day March and Rally point out that, unlike any other in the US, this march has historically addressed a wide range of issues, from violence against women and reproductive rights to development over the Edwards Aquifer.

By bringing together diverse groups of women, including transgender and genderqueer people, organizers say the march, which is scheduled for March 5, helps build understanding of interconnected issues and their effects on women and girls.

The theme for this year's event is “Sin Fronteras, Mujeres Marcharan Por Paz, Justicia y Solidaridad” (Without Borders, Women Will March For Peace, Justice and Solidarity). The theme is mean to draw "attention to the issue of migration and US immigration policy, as well as the issues, of domestic violence, police brutality and the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The march begins at Travis Park and ends in Milam Park with a rally featuring several speakers and performers, including poet Tammy Gomez, Houston hip-hop artist Kiawitl Xochitl, Green Party vice-presidential candidate Rosa Clemente, and others.

For the first time, the planning committee is actively reaching out to Austin, Dallas, Corpus Christi, Houston, and South Texas women to participate in the march, and organizers expect the number of marchers to exceed last year’s count of 3,000.

For more information or to find out how to get involved in this year’s Int’l Woman’s Day March, call (210) 228-0201 or visit sawomenwillmarch.org. Community members are also invited to participate in Banner & T-shirt Making Days at Esperanza Peace & Justice Center on Feb. 26 (1-6pm).