A noisy rally takes place in Watsonville Plaza Friday as people protest budget cuts to the Walnut Avenue Women’s Center and Women’s Crisis Support~Defensa de Mujeres.

Nearly 40 women, children and men rallied at Watsonville Plaza Friday morning, protesting sweeping cuts Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made to domestic violence programs throughout the state.

The governor slashed $16 million from the Department of Public Health’s domestic violence program, which forced the immediate closure of six state shelters. Another 94 have also been affected.

Hundreds of pairs of shoes sat on the grass to represent the estimated 800 families in Santa Cruz County who will be unable to access services — such as 24-hour help hot lines, legal assistance and emergency housing — for victims of domestic violence.

For the complete article see the 08-08-2009 issue.

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