Grassroots to grassfire

So, about that column 11 days ago:

I'm thinking of making T-shirts: "Proud to be a member of that `left-wing fringe group' called `Women.'"

They'd be pink, of course, for socialism – and also for the pink triangle, the badge the Nazis made gays and lesbians wear before shipping them off to the camps.

Thanks to Prime Minster Stephen Harper, those T-shirts will make me rich!

Well no, LEAF is a registered Canadian charity that helps women and minorities fight for their rights.

So props to you, P.M., for letting down your hair, and your guard, last week at that not-so-closed-door speech in Sault Ste. Marie.

Thank you for finally admitting that your government shut down the Court Challenges program in 2006 not just because, as then-Heritage Minister Bev Oda claimed in Parliament, you "recognize the importance of women" but because you believe that that women's rights are "left-wing fringe" rights.

Now, with a little help from my 2,720 (and counting) Facebook friends, as well as the ladies at LEAF, the Women's Legal Action and Education Fund, the t-shirt has become a reality.

Okay, so it's not pink but black. That's more slimming. Plus it made it easier to come up with a version for supportive men.

Order yours here.

Props to Francesca Dobbyn, Jude Macdonald, Pale Cold and Michael Hanna-Fein for making this all happen.

Big ups to Dwayne Radzik Radke for the photo manipulation you see above.

You can bet that Mr. Harper won't be putting us on...anymore.

Comments

[MensRightsNow]

Let's equal the funding for men's issues on par with women. Would that be fare to you Antonia, or are you still promoting female supremacy.

[Shell]

Fantastic photo today, Antonia! YAY!! You have done a fabulous job in an incredibly short time - & your buddies too. If only Gov. could work that way. Just shows what a bunch of "Left wing Fringies" can do!!

[Yogagirl]

ACKKKK!!! I love the shirts but the women's is $5 more than the mens!!!! I know it's only five dollars...but there's a principle at stake...

[Antonia]

No, the fitted tees are five dollars more, as they cost more to produce.

The square ones are unisex.

[fern hill]

I'm sure we're all curious about how sales are going. I know I am. Will LEAF keep you and/or the gang at Facebook updated?

BTW, the Facebook group is getting damn close to 3,000 members, last I looked, and I'm not one of them. (Don't like Facebook.) None of my pals buying t-shirts is a member either. So, 3,000 Facebook members + unknown number of non-Facebook members who support the effort + continued blogging and word of mouth = this could be HUGE.