Following the footsteps of Toronto, New York City is having its very own SlutWalk this Saturday.
The name of the walk is a stab at the ludicrous notion that women donning tight mini-skirts and low-cut shirts are “asking for it.” More specifically, it was named after a comment an officer in Toronto made that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to victimized.”
After that offensive comment, men and woman took the streets of Toronto to prove they weren’t “asking for it.”
Thousands are expected to gather at Union Square to march against rape and sexual assault.
Organizers do not suggest that women wear sexy clothing, making the point that women can be attacked in a short skirt or sweatpants. “You can be raped in anything,” organizer Melissa Marturano said.
The issue has been a hot topic in New York City recently with the recent attacks in Park Slope. The police department has been criticized heavily, mainly from Park Slope residents, for their inadequate response to the attacker.
According to the SlutWalks NYC website, people are urged to gather at Union Square at 11 am on Saturday Oct. 1 to paint posters. The march will begin an hour later.
The route will include walking down Broadway to 8th Street then over to Second Ave. From there the march will go to Third Street over to Lafayette Avenue and from there back to Union Square.
Get creative with your posters, folks and say it loud and clear: your little black dress does not mean ‘yes.’
