I’ll be speaking at this event about Rehtaeh and men’s violence against women.
TORONTO, April 23, 2014 /CNW/ – The One Billion Rising Toronto Public Rally is taking place on April 28, 2014 at the iconic Yonge-Dundas Square. The rally is being MC’d by the multi-talented and ever energetic Tabby Johnson. Speakers include magnificent Eve Ensler, founder of the One Billion Rising movement, author of the wildly successful Vagina Monologues and international women’s rights activist as well as Glen Canning, devoted father of Rehtaeh Parsons, well-known and loved journalist and social justice activist Michele Landsberg and Alyna Nanji, an extraordinary twelve-year-old girl who, in her inimitable way, will be sharing her vision for a violence-free future for Toronto women and girls. There are more speakers, including the inspiring Councilor Kristyn Wong-Tam, and award-winning First Nations Gonrah Desgohwah White Pine Dancers, popular local band UKAE as well as DJ Brother Wayne and the unique Groove dancers. One Billion Rising Toronto will be joyful, expressive, loud, spontaneous, fun, inclusive, accessible and community-driven.
If rumours are true, there will also be a dramatic freeze mob and an unstoppable flash mob dance.
These international and local celebrities, performers and activists as well as Canadian politicians are rising with hundreds of Toronto women and men to dance for JUSTICE. One Billion Rising Toronto is part of the world-wide grassroots One Billion Rising movement that has ignited history’s biggest mass action spanning 207 countries in its demand for an end to violence against women and girls. One Billion Rising reflects the disturbing United Nations statistic that 1 in every 3 women in the world will be raped or beaten in her life – that amounts to 1 billion people.
“It is a call to break the silence and release the stories of both pain and hope – through art, dance, marches, ritual, song, spoken word, testimonies and whatever way best expresses our outrage, our need, our desire, and our joy. The path to justice begins with acknowledging and recognizing the violence – letting it be known.” Eve Ensler, founder of the One Billion Rising movement, author of the Vagina Monologues and international women’s rights activist
“We come together at Yonge-Dundas Square to show our solidarity, to take up space, to add our own voices and to send a clear message, from both women and men, that violence against women will not be tolerated in Toronto or anywhere else in the world. We will shake Toronto into awareness with our music and dance and with our bodies and our presence.” Mehrak Mehrvar, international women’s rights advocate and Chair of One Billion Rising Toronto’s Organizing Committee
Event Details:
One Billion Rising Toronto Public Rally at Yonge-Dundas Square (across from the Eaton Centre) on April 28 from 5:30 to 7 pm. Admission is free.
For more information about the rally:
One Billion Rising Toronto Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/onebillionrising.toronto
One Billion Rising Toronto Facebook Events Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1560093307549747/
Twitter
@1BnRisingTO
#Rise4Justice
For further information:
Mehrak Mehrvar, Chair of One Billion Rising Toronto’s Organizing Committee
Email: mehrak.mehrvar@gmail.com
Phone: 416-726-0890
Shelley Flam, Member of One Billion Rising Toronto’s Organizing Committee
Email: shelley.flam@gmail.com
Phone: 647-504-5620
