Segregated buses: What would Rosa Parks have done?
Mock demonstration held in front of the Ministry of Transportation on to protest separate seating on predominantly haredi bus lines.
By BENJAMIN SPIERsegregation buses demo 248 88(photo credit: Benjamin Spier)
Protestors handed out mock bus tickets marked "For Women" with printed instructions to sit in the rear, during a mock demonstration held in front of the Ministry of Transportation on Tuesday to protest separate seating on predominantly haredi bus lines.
Jerusalem city councilwoman Rachel Azaria said the image of women being sent to the back of the bus resonates strongly among those familiar with American history.
"If Rosa Parks were alive today, she would push the haredi woman to dare to sit up front," said Azaria.
A committee appointed by the Supreme Court will decide on the legality of the 40 separate seating bus lines found all over the country.
The committee was assembled almost two years ago and is slated to present its recommendations to the Transportation Ministry in mid-August.
"Women don't want to sit in the back," said Azaria. "They have no other choice but to sit in the back."
About 20 demonstrators came to the rally, both religious and nonreligious, as well as Meretz MK Nitzan Horowitz.
