YWCA of Richmond Joins The Rising
February 14, 2013 to be V-Day’s Largest Day of Action Ever
On February 14, 2013, the YWCA of Richmond will join with activists around the world for ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. The YW will join with other local activists and advocates from One Billion Rising RVA at the Richmond Coliseum from 11AM-2PM for a rally and events designed to celebrate women’s empowerment and add to the voices calling for an end to global violence against women. (See video below).
What It’s About
ONE BILLION RISING began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On February 14, 2013, V-Day’s 15th anniversary, the YWCA of Richmond will join activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and women and men across the world as we express their outrage, demand change, strike, dance, and RISE in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last to violence against women.
“The YWCA of Richmond has a long history of providing a voice for women in Richmond,” said Chief Executive Officer, Linda Tissiere. “For more than 125 years we’ve been a proud advocate for women and children in our community. Over that time, our mission has changed to reflect changing needs and today we serve survivors of domestic and sexual violence through a number of programs.” YWCA of Richmond programs include community counseling, emergency and transitional housing, hospital accompaniment, and case management for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. “Joining the call to action issued by One Billion Rising is an opportunity for us to share our local mission in the context of this global action to call attention to the crisis of violence against women. It is empowering to add our Richmond voices to the voices of women across the globe,” Tissiere added.
Activities take place throughout the months of February and March and the YWCA of Richmond invites the community to join them on February 14 at 10AM at their downtown location, 6 North 5th Street, to create posters and a banner for a group march to the Coliseum at 11AM.
“We invite our neighbors and fellow advocates to join us an hour before the rally beings at the Coliseum. We’re just 5 blocks away and we will provide supplies to make a large banner and individual posters as well as light refreshments before marching to the Coliseum as a group,” said Tissiere.
To learn more about actions in Richmond, visit the website.
One Billion RisingRVA Program
8:00 Downtown Awareness March – Meet at Nina F Abady Festival Park- in front of the Richmond Coliseum – 6th St. Marketplace, Richmond, VA 23223
Rally – 11 AM 2 PM 11:00 doors to the Coliseum open
11:00 -12:00 Arrival – explore the offerings on the floor and enjoy: Hoopers, Glow dancers, Resource tables, Sponsors booths, Slam poets, Mini-Vagina Monologues piece performances, music/bands/ Capoiera dancers, drumming, Slaying the Dragon interactive display
11:55 Ssssshhh! Big Surprise! Bring your dancing shoes!
12:00 to 1:15
One Billion Rising Rally
