On September 28, 1998, the abortion trilogy (with Spanish subtitles) had its U.S. premiere in California's state capital, at the Sacramento Film Festival (Crest Theater). Over 550 people attended the screenings. CARAL's (California Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League) Women of Color Organizing Project hosted this free event. Keynote speakers included Dolores Huerta (co-founder United Farm Workers, AFL-CIO), along with important Hispanic figures in California government, Speaker of the Assembly Antonio Villaraigosa and Assemblywoman Deborah Ortiz.

Dolores Huerta addressed Latina reproductive rights issues. The Women of Color Organizing Project believes that one of the many populations under-represented and under-served in the reproductive rights movement is the Latino community. In response, CARAL launched, in conjunction with filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman, the world premiere of the Spanish-subtitled version of the Academy-award-winning documentary trilogy "FROM the BACK ALLEYS to the SUPREME COURT & BEYOND." 

The September event was held in conjunction with a series of premieres throughout Latin America, commemorating September 28, "A Day for the Decriminalization and Legalization of Abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean."

 CARAL's Women of Color Organizing Project recognizes that, historically, women of color have not been part of the mainstream reproductive rights and women's health movements, despite the fact that they are among the most severely affected by policies restricting access to reproductive health services. At a time when extremists and anti-choice forces are increasingly targeting women of color, poor women and the young, and the scapegoating of immigrants is rising, the mainstream reproductive rights movement must include women of color as leaders, activists, and organizational agents of change to enact a progressive agenda. 

For more information about the California Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League's Women of Color Organizing Project, contact: caral@aol.com