Jackson Free Press

Gubernatorial Sherman Lee Dillon sent around a statement saluting Women's Equality Day. It reads: "Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate, Sherman Lee Dillon is fed up. As the father of four daughters and the grandfather to three granddaughters, Sherman Lee thinks it is time for Mississippians to heed the rights of our mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts -- all women. August 27 is Women's Equality Day. Sherman Lee thinks that it is not enough that women have had suffrage for eighty-three years. More must done to honor women and ensure equality.

Currently Mississippi holds the number one slot for violence against women, beating out the District of Columbia. Further aggravation is derived from the fact that sixty percent of the men who beat their wives or girlfriends also beat their children, compounding the vicious cycle of violence in our state.

"Mississippi prides itself as being a state of Southern Gentleman, but how can that be when we consistently demonstrate the opposite of honor for the women in our lives," Sherman Lee queried while addressing a local group of citizens? Commenting that, "We must change the way we deal with this problem. If elected Governor, I will present a bill to the legislature entitled the 'Fairness for Families and Community Act.' This legislation will provide a litmus test for officers who answer domestic violence calls. If it is determined that domestic violence has occurred the
perpetrator shall be sentenced to a mandatory thirty days in jail. As part of this program counselling and anger management classes will be required. In order to avoid punishing the family, those that commit domestic violence will be allowed to go to work.

People must be taught that violence is a dead-end street. We want people to learn that just as there are consequences to beating up a stranger, so shall there be consequences for maintaining an atmosphere of terror in the home. This will benefit all of our families and communites and hopefully, stop the currently outrageous cycle of violence in Mississippi
households."

In celebration of Women's Equality Day, Sherman Lee will be having dinner with his wife Louise, three of their four daughters and three granddaughters at their home in south Jackson. He encourages all Mississippians to be more mindful before resorting to violence and to celebrate Women's Equality Day, everyday.