E stands for everybody: ERA rally
Cover image: A picture of the crowd in the Capitol Rotunda during the ERA rally. Credit: Janet Kusch
A look at the recent Minnesota ERA rally at the Capitol
By M Yeager
On Monday, Feb. 12, activists and supporters of the Minnesota equal rights amendment (ERA) held a rally in the Capitol Rotunda on the first day of the legislative session. Co-sponsors of the rally included the Minnesota chapter of the League of Women Voters, the Minnesota chapter of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the Minneapolis chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Recap of the ERA
The ERA is a proposed amendment to the Constitution that was written in July 1923 and introduced to Congress in the same year. It was passed in 1972 by both houses and was quickly ratified by 35 of the required 38 states. However, Congress imposed a time limit on the amendment, which expired in 1982 before 38 states could ratify it. In 2020, Virginia became the 38th state to ratify the amendment, meeting the ratification requirement set out by Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The fight for the federal ERA is now centered on removing the extratextual time limit for ratification.
Over half of the states have state ERAs or active state-level ratification efforts. Minnesota is one of them. The passage of the state ERA would protect the rights of citizens for future generations.
Minnesota’s 2024 proposed ERA bill: “All persons shall be guaranteed equal rights under the laws of this state. The state should not discriminate against any person in intent or effect on account of race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, or sex, including but not limited to pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive freedom, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.” This bill borrows the language from Nevada’s now-ratified state ERA. Credit: The Wheel, Minnesota ERA
A look at the rally
Members of the Carondelet Village Justice Seekers Committee and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet community attended the rally. At a debriefing meeting, all felt that the rally went well, while bringing and producing high energy. “From our sense of being in the room,” said Joan Wittman, a CSJ consociate, “everybody there was a champion for the ERA.”
A picture of the Capitol Rotunda during the ERA rally on the first day of the legislative session. Credit: Marty Roers
Wittman has been a member of Minnesota ERA for many years and last year was asked to testify in favor of the ERA in front of the Minnesota Senate Judiciary Committee. From a young age, Wittman has been passionate about gender justice and equity for all. She explained that this all culminates in her support and advocacy for the ERA, which will guarantee these rights if it becomes a part of the state and federal constitutions.
The group also was appreciative of the wide range of support at the rally. In addition to co-sponsors of the rally such as NAACP-Minneapolis and MN AFL-CIO, a group of high schoolers from Minnetonka also attended along with other community members. There was also a presence from both the state and federal legislature at the rally. Minnesota Sen. Mary Kunesh, Minnesota Rep. Kaohly Her, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and Senate President Bobby Joe Champion were just a few legislators who attended.
As it was the first day of the legislative session, the day’s agenda at the Capitol was full. The agenda of the rally was no less full, with many speakers. “There must have been 20 to 30 different speakers, with another 20 supporting them behind the podium,” said Janet Kusch, a resident of Carondelet Village and a member of the Justice Seekers Committee.
A photo of the group from Carondelet Village that attended the rally. Credit: Marty Roers
Kusch was aware of the ERA during her college years and became more involved in her 30s. Her career in reproductive health care was also a large aspect of supporting the ERA and what it champions. “It’s been a learning journey,” Kusch said. “Over time, with what I have learned and my personal experiences, I strongly believe that everybody has the right to equal opportunities.”
Wittman echoed Kusch’s sentiment and noted that one of the clear messages from the rally was that the E in ERA stands for everybody.
Another aspect that pushed many others including Kusch and Wittman to support the state ERA was the erosion of rights at the federal level. “If we can’t depend on the federal government to stand up [for our rights],” Kusch said, “then [the responsibility is] being pushed to the states.”
If passed in the Minnesota House this legislative session, the ERA would be on the ballot for voters as early as 2026. For those fighting for its implementation, the next step in the process of making the ERA a part of the Minnesota State Constitution is advocacy and voter education around the amendment.
For more information on the ERA both federally and within the state of Minnesota, visit www.equalrightsamendment.org and www.eramn.org.
