Affordable Care Act key Benefits

SISTER CIRCLE SUPPORT GROUPS

THERE IS HEALING FROM ABUSE  http://www.ashafamilyservices.org

SISTER CIRCLE SUPPORT GROUPS

SISTAHS HELPING SISTAHS!

WHAT:               Sister Circle Support Groups

WHERE:            Asha Family Services, Inc. (Asha)

                             Sistahs’ Café & Deli –

3717 W. Center Street * Milwaukee, WI * 53210

WHEN:              EVERY THURSDAY, 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Sister Circle Support groups are culturally related to African American and other such women of color living with abuse;  AND those women who have survived abuse; AND those women who want to support them.  We are somebody's mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, neice or cousin. Regardless, we are all Somebody's Daughter!

Sister Circles provide healing with tools and skills for daily living including: safety planning, counseling, job training, education, finances/budgeting, healing, journaling and more. 

Do you know a woman who has survived domestic violence? Sexual Violence? Sex Trafficking? Incarceration? Substance Abuse? Tell her she is not alone!

Take her by the hand and bring her to Asha’s Sister Circle Support Group. There is HEALING FROM ABUSE!  

At Sister Circles, you can learn what you can do to help save a Sistah's life! Be Informed!

Vote for Sistahs' Cafe & Deli at Mission Small Business!

Help survivors win?? All we need is your VOTE!!  It REALLY does only take a couple of minutes!! Vote for Sistahs' Cafe & Deli  in Milwaukee, WI at Mission: Small Business!!  http://www.missionsmallbusiness.com  We need a total of 250 Votes!

This really only takes a minute! Please go to www.missionsmallbusiness.com and vote for us.
MIDNIGHT TONIGHT IS THE DEADLINE!  Vote for Asha's dba: "Sistahs' Cafe & Deli" at www.missionsmallbusiness.com Here is how to do it:

Click the link to missionsmallbusiness above. At the mission site, CLICK the Blue Button "Log In & Support" ...when you see "Log In & Support", click that. (Log-in is with your facebook page) Enter our dba business name as: Sistahs' Cafe & Deli then click Search. When we come up, click VOTE! It really is quick and easy!

Sistahs' Cafe & Deli is a micro-enterprise of Asha Family Services, Inc. (Asha) a domestic and sexual violence prevention organization in Milwaukee, WI.    Sistahs' Cafe & Deli provides jobs and job training for survivors to gain/enhance employable skills to achieve economic stability.


We need a total of 250 votes to qualify for a small business grant we will use to buy needed equipment and remodel our job training site Sistahs' Cafe & Deli. This job site is operated and led by survivors. Sistahs' Cafe & Deli is a unique component of a community-based, domestic and sexual violence prevention organization.   Will you help us qualify?

Much thanks and love to you all!!

Antonia

VAWA IS BEING HELD UP! TELL CONGRESS TO MOVE ON VAWA NOW!

VAWA is under attack and is deliberately being held up until after the Presidential Election!!

WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS STALL TACTIC THAT PUTS WOMEN'S LIVES IN JEOPARDY TO HAPPEN!!    TELL CONGRESS TO DO THEIR JOB NOW!!

There are some people who do not believe all women are worthy of protection. They also believe that there are some batterers and violators of women that should not be held accountable!! 

These same people hope that pouring floods of money in to support a different agenda, that President Obama will be replaced. If their tactics succeed, they know they will be able to roll back protections contained in the Real VAWA. The Real VAWA, the Senate version of VAWA holds all abusers of women accountable for their actions and the Real VAWA says all women must be protected.
                  

YOU CAN HELP SAVE LIVES!  CONTACT your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support and pass the Senate version of VAWA NOW!.  Key leaders you can call to urge them to get VAWA passed are:

Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), (202) 225-0600
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), (202) 225-4000
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), (202) 225-0100
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), (202) 224-3542
Chair of the Democratic Conference Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), (202) 224-6542

Get updates and on-going ideas on what you can do to help:  http://4vawa.org/.

National Days of ACTION to Reauthorize VAWA!!!

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY!
JUNE 25, 2012

THE NATIONAL 10 DAYS OF ACTION FOR VAWA - JUNE 24TH TO JULY 4TH!.... WE MUST ACT NOW!!

TAKE PART IN ENSURING THAT CONGRESS PASSES A FINAL VAWA THAT INCLUDES ALL VICTIMS!

ACT WITH US- IN DC OR RIGHT IN YOUR HOMETOWN- TO TELL CONGRESS ...

CONGRESS MUST GET VAWA MOVING BEFORE THEY GO ON THEIR JULY 4TH VACATION!! 

BEFORE THE END OF SUMMER, Congress needs to send a REAL VAWA, a bipartisan VAWA to President Obama to sign with all of the inclusive provisions in S. 1925. The final VAWA must serve ALL victims and contain NO rollbacks to the current VAWA and we need to get moving now so that can happen.

More and more legislation is stalled due to Congressional gridlock! We need Congressional leaders to hear our strong and united message once and for all: YOUR WORK ON VAWA IS NOT OVER!!  DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION!!

We have too much at stake!! Lives are being lost and families are being destroyed!!  STAND WITH US DURING OUR NATIONAL 10 DAYS OF ACTION AS WE FIGHT TO PUSH VAWA OVER THE FINISH LINE!
PARTICIPATE IN OUR 10 DAYS OF ACTION TO SAVE VAWA FROM JUNE 24TH – JULY 4TH!
DO ONE OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES BELOW!

 JOIN US FOR A RALLY IN DC!  NATIONAL VAWA DAYS OF ACTION  Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tell Congress: Get VAWA Passed!

Let’s send a national unified message to Congress to pass a strong, bipartisan VAWA that safely and effectively meets the needs of all victims – NOW!

YOU can participate in the Day of Action on June 26 to reauthorize VAWA – call your Members of Congress and use your social media networks to rally support!

Call Senators and Representatives and insist they pass VAWA as a matter of urgent priority.
Talking Point:  "I urge you to pass a strong, bipartisan VAWA reauthorization bill  that safely and effectively protects ALL victims of violence – NOW. 

TWEET:
Follow NNEDV on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/nnedv and use these hashtags!  #ReauthorizeVAWA and #VAWA

Sample tweets:
·        Congress must pass #VAWA before their July 4th vacation.
·        I’m joining National Day of #Action4VAWA to tell Congress to pass #VAWA. I want ALL survivors to be safe.
·        [Fill in your Congress Person’s twitter handle]:  Pass #VAWA for ALL survivors!  I’m standing up to take #Action4VAWA:

Mission: Small Business℠ Vote for "Sistahs' Cafe & Deli"

ASHA FAMILY SERVICES, INC. (ASHA) NEEDS YOUR HELP TO QUALIFY TO WIN A $250,000 SMALL BUSINESS GRANT!!! THAT'S RIGHT, A GRANT!!  HELP US QUALIFY TO WIN!
Click the link here: Mission: Small Business℠    Enter the business name: Sistahs' Cafe & Deli AND VOTE FOR US!!

Chase and LivingSocial have launched Mission: Small Business!!
Asha has entered its micro-enterprise Sistahs' Cafe & Deli.  With your VOTE, we can qualify to win a grant...ALL WE NEED IS YOUR VOTE!! 

Sistahs' Cafe & Deli is a micro-enterprise of Asha Family Services, Inc., Sistahs' Cafe & Deli sits next door to Asha's offices and is Asha's job training and job development site for survivors of domestic and sexual violence to enhance their job skills, gain work experience and create jobs. This grant will allow this small business to obtain the equipment and remodeling needed to sustain this key element of survival for victims. All we need is your vote!  

HELP US QUALIFY TO WIN!  Click the link here:  Mission: Small Business℠      Enter the business name:  Sistahs' Cafe & Deli AND VOTE FOR US!!

Chase and LivingSocial have launched Mission: Small Business!!

Consumers can get involved by clicking the “Support” button at missionsmallbusiness.com and voting for their favorite registered small businesses. For each pledge of support, Chase will add five dollars to the grant pool, up to $3 million, and businesses must receive at least 250 votes to be considered for a grant. The voting period is open from May 7, 2012 through June 30, 2012.

Women Only Dialogue on Domestic & Sexual Violence

  WOMEN ONLY DIALOGUE on domestic and sexual violence including sex trafficking!!

Saturday, June 23rd at 1pm at the Wisconsin African American Women's Center located at 3020 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI.  Summer is here and with the heat comes an increase in acts of violence against women and girls in our community at staggering rates! They are Somebody's Daughter!

Join me at this Women Only meeting to address this epidemic of violence inflicted on women and girls in our community. In collaboration with Muhammad Mosque #3, we are Blessed again to have Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad to deliver the keynote address.  Bring your voice and another sistah with you to this women only panel discussion titled “REAL LOVE” A Women Only Dialogue on Domestic Violence.

Mission: Small Business℠ Vote for Sistahs' Cafe & Deli

Mission: Small Business℠

Asha Family Services needs your vote!!  Search for Sistahs' Cafe & Deli and Sistahs' Hair and Nail Salon!!

We are seeking your support to qualify for a $250,000 grant from Mission: Small Business to purchase equipment and remodel our micro enterprises "Sistahs' Cafe & Deli" and "Sistahs' Hair and Nail Salon".    One of the things that make Asha Family Services, a community-based domestic and sexual violence prevention organization unique is that these micro-enterprises (attached to our office building)  are job skill enhancing and job development sites for survivors we see in our community. With your help we can win this grant and you can help us grow.

The link should go directly to our vote page however, where prompted, Search for: Sistahs' Cafe & Deli and Sistahs' Hair and Nail Salon; State: Wisconsin; City: Milwaukee  and cast your vote for us!

Please take a moment to vote for us now.  Encourage your friends to do the same! Help small businesses like us grow!!  Thank you, thank you for your support!!

Fearless Brooklyn boy, 11, stabs mom's abusive boyfriend to fend off attack - NY Daily News

Fearless Brooklyn boy, 11, stabs mom's abusive boyfriend to fend off attack   - NY Daily News

DOMESTIC ABUSE IMPACTS US ALL!!  Courageous and fed up! Terrance Allen, an 11 year old fourth-grader said he, "had enough", when he decided to run and grab a kitchen knife to stop a violent assault on his mother and cousin by his mother's live-in boyfriend.  Terrance said he was afraid and knew something really bad was going to happen.  Terrance stabbed the assailant in the back while he was choking his cousin who had intervened to stop him from choking his mother.

This is what the Daily News reports, "A fearless 11-year-old Brooklyn hero wielding a kitchen knife saved the lives of his mother and a cousin when his mom’s live-in boyfriend snapped and started choking both women in their Bushwick apartment."

Domestic abuse impacts us all in so many ways! Had this boy been older, he may have been charged with an assault and that assault classified as something other than attributed to domestic violence.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/fearless-brooklyn-boy-11-stabs-mom-abusive-boyfriend-fend-attack-article-1.1097453#ixzz1yFZt7ZbU

Parents Allegedly Kill Daughter's Pimp | Breaking News for Black America

Parents Allegedly Kill Daughter's Pimp | Breaking News for Black America

Interesting piece from News One for Black America! This is one of those "hummm" moments. I don't have all the specifics on this but it seems this guy pimped the wrong man's "daughter". Clarification questions come to mind, however what I can say is that at some point in time, violence, abuse and the mistreatment of women and girls must end because it is in our best interest as human beings.

The father of the pimp said, “Call him a pimp. Call him a gang banger. Paint the picture as worse as you want, he said to CBS News. “The fact of the matter is, he didn’t deserve to die. That’s the bottom line.”  Also, the pimp's father does not deny that his son "may have" pimped the teenager.

So much of what is done to women and girls is at epidemic proportions because there are few or minimal consequences and it seems no one really cares. The community itself has to say enough is enough... and be compelled to action. People must hold these men accountable and particularly MEN in African American and other communities of color must say this type of behavior stops and make such parasites know that this will NOT be tolerated and hold these men accountable.  

They (the pimps and wannabes) have to understand that they will NOT be allowed to take no ones daughter out of their community and put them into bondage (drug dependency, fear or fake dreams) on a pole, in a porn video or prone! I ask the men...what do you think of this story? What if it was your teenage daughter or your neice?  Btw...there are a large percentage of men and boys who are incarcerated for murder that actually killed someone for doing harm to a woman they loved and these are not necessarily categorized as such.

7 Year Old Gang Raped!

A 7 year old girl Gang Raped??!!

Some stuff is just unbelievable! Read this story! These are somebody's daughters!!! This story says that a 15 year old girl was invited to a party in a housing complex and the 7 year old girl tagged along for the "safety" of the 15 yr old...... "At the party, the 15-year-old starting having sex with several men for money and then gave the younger girl (7 year old) some cash to let a group of men touch her as she looked on, police said. It soon escalated to rape and the men threatened to kill the child if she screamed or told anyone, according to police." Are these girls so worthless they can be used and abused and just tossed aside??

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/01/27-arrested-in-apartment_n_521937.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

AIDS Rate Among Urban Black Women Stuns Researchers - Maggie Fox - NationalJournal.com

AIDS Rate Among Urban Black Women Stuns Researchers - Maggie Fox - NationalJournal.com

“While we have always known that African-Americans had a higher risk of HIV infection than other American racial groups, this study confirms it and underscores the severity of the national and local problem, especially in cities,” Flexner said.

“Most of these women were not active injection-drug users. The vast majority were heterosexual.” Some were trading sex for drugs such as crack, but not all."

PRESS RELEASE: FREE MARISSA ALEXANDER

PRESS RELEASE: MARISSA ALEXANDER CASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: LINCOLN ALEXANDER
Phone:641-715-3900 ext: 115615

DAY OF GLOBAL RALLIES IN SUPPORT OF MARISSA ALEXANDER AND VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

(Jacksonville,Florida)  –  6/12/12 --- Marissa Alexander, a victim of domestic abuse is an African American mother of  three. Marissa completed a Bachelor's degree and furthered her education with the completion of an MBA. Today, Marissa sits in a Florida prison. 

Marissa sought immunity under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' statute and did not receive it. Her violent husband, Edward Rico Gray, a serial abuser of women did not have a scratch on him nor was he harmed in any way, however, Marissa, who he has beaten on multiple occasions, is in prison for firing a warning shot to prevent another attack from him.

We need your support to help free Marissa! Sunday June 24, 2012 is designated as a Global Day of Rallies In Support Of Marissa Alexander and all victims of domestic violence.


The Committee To Free Marissa Alexander is sponsoring a Freedom Rally and Motorcycle Fundraiser  in Angel Square, 5133 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville, Florida at 2:PM . The Committee is also requesting that rallies are hosted across the United States and abroad, in support of Freedom For Marissa Alexander and Victims of Domestic Abuse who languish in prison.

The War on Drugs and Mass Incarceration: Kathleen Wells, J.D.: Author and Legal Scholar, Michelle Alexander (Part 2)

Kathleen Wells, J.D.: Author and Legal Scholar, Michelle Alexander, Talks About The War on Drugs and Mass Incarceration (Part 2)

Kathleen Wells, asked Michelle Alexander, "Why are they targeting black communities and  neighborhoods"?

Michelle Alexander: Well, first of all, they could never get away with it, if they tried to do it in middle or upper-middle class white communities. If the drug war was waged on college campuses and universities and upper-middle class white communities, the way it's being waged in the 'hood, it would have ended 30 years ago -- it would have ended before it began.

"But again to understand why this is happening, I think you have to go back again to the origin. The drug war is traceable to a deliberate effort to exploit our nation's racial divisions and anxiety through this "get tough" rhetoric. And once the war was declared, law enforcement was given financial incentives to wage it".

Pregnant Cook County Jail Inmates Win Settlement In Class Action Lawsuit

Pregnant Cook County Jail Inmates Win Settlement In Class Action Lawsuit

This is the way you do it!! Female inmates who were shackled and chained during the delivery and birth of a child, filed a class action suit against Cook County Jail and won a $4.1 million dollar settlement!

"The class action lawsuit against Cook County Jail alleging that the women were shackled while they were giving birth and recovering from labor, despite a state law that forbids the practice".

California Prison Cellphones: Illegal Devices Will Be Disabled And Inmates Will Be Forced To Use Payphones

California Prison Cellphones: Illegal Devices Will Be Disabled And Inmates Will Be Forced To Use Payphones

Everybody wants a piece of the action! I guess the Billion dollars AT&T made in one year from inmate calls is too tempting not to get in on. This article speaks to a plan with the State and Global Tel Link (GTL) who will be spending millions to install the systems and technology to prevent cell phones from working in prisons. They (GTL), are saying that cellphones smuggled in for inmates to use instead of the pay phones, "is a growing problem".  The usual long-lines at the pay phones to make collect calls was quite telling to say the least.  And by the way...evidently, the "Who" is smuggling the phones in does not seem to be much of a problem but then reports show that "Prison Personnel" are #1 on the list of smuggling contraband into prisons so they wouldn't want to spend any money there.

It seems apparent that the reduction in inmates usage of the pay phones is putting a dent in their pockets. I can only guess that because it appears these inmates have found another way to communicate with the outside besides making "collect calls", some "financial relief" is being felt by the generally "poor and lower income people" the inmates usually call.

Common Sense..., many of us do have it...so for those of us  everyday folks, who are more "in the know" and/or has ever had a loved one locked up, we know, inmates are most likely calling to connect with and hear the voices of the people they love such as wives, girlfriends, children and parents. However "they" are justifying this ploy to build support for their actions by saying the smuggled cellphones to inmates are being used to "run criminal interprises, intimidate witnesses and plan attacks on prison guards." I guess we are to believe none of these inmates have loved ones they would rather call for free.

That's just my brief take on it.

Where the Real Shame Lies: Calling Victims of Violence Liars and Their Advocates Crooks

Terry O'Neill: Where the Real Shame Lies: Calling Victims of Violence Liars and Their Advocates Crooks

There is a "Real VAWA" that is supported by well over 300 organizations and governmental agencies that was crafted and informed by scholarly evidence and the authentic voices and realities of the estimated two million reported cases annually.  Think about it...Given what we know individually about what victims do, you can surmise that incidents of violence against women are still drastically under-reported.

As a survivor, I never reported a single incident of violence against me to police for a variety of reasons such as "fear".  Additionally, I personally know of many other victims who share in that statement which causes me certainty that you know of such instances that went unreported as well.

The "Real VAWA" holds perpetrators of violence and abuse against women accountable and has mechanisms that provide multi-levels of protection and supports for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, however, now there is unfortunately another VAWA called H.R. 4970 that scares the hell out me. It is informed and supported by the National Coalition for Men and is not in the best interest of women victims. It erodes protections and puts some victims directly in harms way.

In the attached article, National Organization for Women President, Terry O'Neill speaks volumes in this feature: "Where the Real Shame Lies: Calling Victims of Violence Liars and their Advocates Crooks".  As it does with O'Neill, we should all realize who and what is behind H.R. 4970 and ask the questions, "Why aren't House Republicans celebrating the hard work and success of VAWA grantees," who face the atrocities and devastation of the traumatic acts of violence perpetrated against women and children daily? And why does the language of the bill (H.R. 4970) assume victims are liars and grantees are embezzlers?" Smoke Screen?? I agree with O'Neill and what comes to mind is what my grandmother use to say of suspect activity and behaviors..."There's a dead-cat on the line somewhere.".  O'Neill puts it, "Perhaps the focus on "fraud" and "false allegations" is meant to be convenient cover for what H.R. 4970 really does: roll back victim protections that have existed in law for decades; order the establishment of a new and costly bureaucracy to burden grantees with unnecessary paperwork; and deny any meaningful protections to battered immigrants, Native women, or LGBT victims"? WHY??

H.R. 4970 is a mean-thing. It hits both victims and the programs that serve them. This "thing" seeks to establish a new and costly "fraud" unit in the Justice Department that would divert extreme amounts of money needed to directly help victims. Hope that your daughter or neice or sister has a loving and caring, non abusive partner because H.R. 4970 says there are (already) "enough victims."  H.R. 4970 says that immigrant, Native-American, and LGBT victims are NOT good victims to protect so does not want them added to the list of those already protected from abuse. H.R. 4970 is "mean" and is a direct insult not only to victims, but those who love them and serve them.

MARISSA ALEXANDER. Story: You call this justice? Not if it’s the victim who goes to prison - Fred Grimm - MiamiHerald.com#storylink=addthis#storylink=addthis#storylink=addthis

You call this justice? Not if it’s the victim who goes to prison - Fred Grimm - MiamiHerald.com#storylink=addthis#storylink=addthis#storylink=addthis

Justice was NOT served! Fred Grimm of the Miami Herald narrates some of the content in Rico Gray's deposition. Rico Gray, 240 lbs truck driver, serial woman abuser and husband of Marissa Alexander stated in his deposition that he was angry at her because he saw text messages between Marissa and her ex-husband. Now ask yourself this...How did he see those text messages in Marissa's phone??  Knowing his violent tendencies and jealousy levels, would Marissa, 5'2, 125lbs willingly show him those text message? She had a restraining order against him! He had beaten her on multiple occasions including during her pregnancy that was so brutal, he hospitalized her. She was finally trying to leave him due to his violence and abuse, so I don't think she would show him her text messages. For many victims, having their phone searched for who they are communicating with is a common tactic of abusers who are insecure and have serious issues with trust and respect. 

To escape the jealous rage, Marissa had retreated into the bathroom.  Gray states, “I don’t recall breaking the door open, but I know I beat on it hard enough where it could have been broken open. It probably had some dents.” What?? Grimm continues Gray's account that once he managed to get inside, he said he pushed her into the door with enough force to further damage the door. Gray was asked, "Did you put your hands around her neck?" Gray stated,  “Not that particular day. No.” Read on... and by the way, Gray also stated that when Marissa got out of the bathroom she ran through the laundry room into the attached garage but said, "she couldn't get out because the garage door was locked".  How did he know that? Did he make sure she could not escape?

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/28/v-fullstory/2821403_you-call-this-justice-not-if-its.html#storylink=addthis#storylink=cpy

Marissa Alexander Case: "It wasn't a warning shot", says Angela Corey

It wasn't a warning shot, Corey says

You have to click the above link and read the story...This is just so disturbing!! This Prosecutor (Angela Corey) says, "the public does not know the facts". Well, in this case, the "public" may not be the only ones lacking in facts.  Corey asserts that the shot Marissa Alexander fired to warn off her attacking husband was fired out of "anger" and not because she was in fear of her life!  Ok...Marissa's husband Rico Gray who has a long history of beating up the women in his life had beaten her on numerous occasions and in one recent attack during her pregnancy he beat her so bad she was hospitalized but she was not afraid he would do that again or worse? That's crazy!

Corey keeps saying Marissa fired "at THEM" saying she fired at abusive husband Rico Gray AND his two sons! That isn't even plausible! All accounts say she loved his children who are not hers, so why would she want to harm them or put them in harms way?! The fact is that one of Rico Gray Sr.'s sons (who does not live with him) admitted he and his brother were not in the room and did not observe this account while the son that does LIVE WITH Rico Gray Sr. says he and his brother were in the room.  Hummm...I wonder why the son who lives with Rico said that?  Well, on the other-hand, like so many others, I guess I do have an idea why that child said that.

"FACTS"! What about the "Facts" on domestic abuse victimization and dynamics?! Especially given its sheer pervasiveness (even in Florida) and the fact that 3 women die in this country EVERY DAY due to domestic violence!  AND for Black women, it is approximated that 4 out of every 10 Black women in the United States have been the victim of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. I am confused! How could this Prosecutor NOT get the FACTS on that! How could she NOT bring in Expert Witnesses on Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women?? Learn the "facts" for yourself, and use common, historical sense...
be informed.

Florida woman jailed for firing 'warning shot' at husband to appeal

Florida woman jailed for firing 'warning shot' at husband to appeal

Story highlights: "Michael Dowd, a lawyer who has been representing domestic violence victims since the 1970s, told Reuters he plans to appeal Alexander's conviction."

"When I saw the facts of this case, they seemed to be as bad as I'd ever seen," Dowd said. "The system really doesn't do a great job of protecting battered women, and when they do anything to protect themselves, it turns on them with a ferocity that is seldom seen if, in the reverse, the woman had been killed."

Stand Your Ground Marissa Alexander: ATTORNEY MICHAEL G. DOWD - PIONEER IN BATTERED WOM...

Stand Your Ground Marissa Alexander: ATTORNEY MICHAEL G. DOWD - PIONEER IN BATTERED WOM...: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael G. Dowd, Esq. Phone: (212) 751-1640 Contact: Lincoln Alexander Phone:    641-7...