Feeling alone on Valentine’s Day? Wondering where the love is? Or maybe you’re just tired of spending that hard earned dough on extravagant meals in packed restaurants… The Virginia Center For Latin American Art is offering a more meaningful alternative: One Billion Rising RVA. The event showcases art made by Latin American women and children affected by domestic abuse.
One Billion Rising hopes to raise awareness of an issue that isn’t fully in the limelight. Almost one third of all women have been affected by domestic violence in some way, and that ratio is even higher among Latin American women. Unfortunately, it’s not something anyone’s eager to speak about.
The worldwide “One Billion Rising” campaign was founded by Vagina Monologues author Eve Ensler, a popular women’s rights activist. Although Richmond’s part of the event has taken on a specifically Latin American focus, the campaign hopes to raise awareness about violence against all women.
The event sees itself as “a call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends,” according to the national website. It is also a worldwide “strike,” which includes multiple worldwide marches and rallying events.
Richmond’s One Billion Rising starts with an 8 a.m. march at 6th and Broad, and leads up to an 11 a.m. rally at the Richmond Coliseum. The rally includes everything from the VACLAA’s art exhibit, mini Vagina-Monologues, and slam poetry to hula-hoopers, glow spinners, dancers and bands. The festivities lead up to a session with multiple speakers, including human rights activist Rebiya Kadeer and Richmond Police Sergeant Carol Adams.
The One Billion Rising event ends in drum and dance festivities, calling all to “rise” and make the pledge to spread the word. The importance of this event is not something to be overlooked. So get out and do something bigger than stuff yourself with chocolate.
For more info, click here: http://www.facebook.com/events/314631378635805/