March to End Rape Culture

Posted by multiple organizations on September 21, 2015

MARCH TO END RAPE CULTURE 2015 PHILADELPHIA
BEGINS ORGANIZING & PLANNING FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT

WHEN: Saturday, October 3, 2015 / March begins at 11 :00 p.m.

WHERE: Thomas Paine Plaza (Across from Love Park) at 1401 JFK Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19103.

WHAT: The March to End Rape Culture is an annual march through center city raising awareness about rape culture and how it affects everyone in society today. This event will be a monumental occasion for Philadelphian’s to learn about the widespread issues related to rape culture and what can be done to put an end to it. It is also a supportive and empowering place for
survivors of rape and abuse to speak out and discover local resources that are ready and willing to help everyone overcome the obstacles that society has placed in front of them. Lastly, the march is the perfect opportunity for allies to join with survivors in taking a stand against rape culture and say ENOUGH!

BACKGROUND: Formerly known as ” Slutwalk”, the march has been rebranded as the March to End Rape Culture in an effort to be more inclusive and appeal to a wider audience. The success in the re-branding has brought in more supporting organizations and attracted over a 1,000 supporters in 2014.

EVENT DETAILS: The march begins at l lam in Thomas Paine Plaza where attendees will start their journey through center city passing by City Hall en route to Rittenhouse Square, then down Locust St and ending back in Thomas Paine Plaza. Participants are encouraged to bring posters with positive and educational messages such as “My Body, My Choice” to enlighten onlookers about the effects of rape culture on society. Chant leaders will rally patrons with mantras that will spread the message that rape culture in today’s world is not OK and needs to be stopped. Please make and bring your own posters to carry during the march. We will also do some poster making before we march at this event.

This event is a safe space for survivors and inclusive of all genders, sexual orientations, abilities, ages and races. Therapists will be on site to assist anyone who is triggered during the event. The march will begin and conclude with eleven special guest speakers who will present about various aspects of rape culture such as: what it is, what can be done to prevent it and how it can be addressed within our communities (just to name a few). Speakers include: Nelly Fitzpatrick (City of Philadelphia, LGBT Liaison), La’Donna Boyens (Positive Women’s Network, Co-Chair), Kaila Boulware (Rutgers Women Organized Against Harassment, Feministing.com), Zahre Belle (Poet), Dr. Timaree Schmit, LaQuisha Anthony (V.O.l.C.E.), Destine Cubler (Poet), Celena Morrison (Trans* Wellness Project), Danagh Dandurand, (March to End Rape Culture Organizers), Tara Murtha (Women’s Law Project), and Shevaun Brannigan (Poet). Speeches will be interpreted in ASL. Ifyou are in need ofother accessibility services, please contact marchtoendrapeculture@gmail.com

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS: Feminist Public Works, Take Back the Night, Pussy Division, Project SAFE, Girl Army, PAVE Philly, Factory Girls, Philadelphia NOW, SWOP (Sex Workers Outreach Project), WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape), Therapy Center of Philadelphia, Wooden Shoe Books, Progressive NAACP Temple Division, V.O.l.C.E., Women’s
Law Project, Philly Queer Brunch, Drexel SAFE, Women’s Way, Trans* Wellness Project, Lutheran Settlement House, Permanent Wave Philly, Women in Transition, Philly Socialists, and Food Not Bombs.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET INVOLVED: Rape culture is a term used to describe a culture in which sexual violence is accepted as a part of everyday life. There are many different aspects of society that contribute to rape culture including victim blaming, rape jokes, transphobia, slut shaming, keeping survivors in silence, racism, the use of bodies as sexual
objects, the sexualization of violence, lack of education around consent, intimate partner violence, homophobia, sexist media messages, the list is never ending.

Email: robinstrough@gmail.com or marchtoendrapeculture@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/735481813247706/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/March2EndRC
Fundraising: http://www.gofundme.com/MTERC2015
Website: http://www.marchtoendrapeculture.tumblr.com