PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: V-DAY

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2012

Occupy Sacramento holds alternative Valentine’s Day event, despite park renovations, to ‘shed light on cultural gender and sex issues in the U.S.’ from 2:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Sacramento — Occupy Sacramento brings community advocacy organizations to César Chávez Park next Tuesday (1/14/12) for an alternative Valentine’s—V-Day event, to shed light on cultural gender and sex issues in the U.S.

Visitors of the park will be able to engage in community activism and discussion with local organizations that are striving to put an end to corporate misogyny, commercial objectification of men and women as well as ways the community of Sacramento can help prevent violence and in particular, sexual violence.

The V-Day movement works to end violence against women and girls worldwide and was founded by Eve Ensler who instills women’s empowerment with her momentous play, The Vagina Monologues. Now, there are over 140 countries participating in the worldwide mission to end all violence against men, women, girls and boys.

Occupy Sacramento also organizes this V-Day event on February 14, to point out that commercialized Valentine’s Day perpetuates sexualized stereotypes of the wants of men and women. The group wants to teach the public about anti-violence topics while showcasing area organizations and nonprofits that try to put an end to violence.

Kim Sloan, a former rape victim and protester with Occupy Sacramento said, “Instances of rape, domestic violence, sexual assault makes victims internalize emotions of self-loathing, which can lead to alcoholism, drug addiction, suicide and more. These should not be norms in our society, so we have to take back our human rights for prevention through access and education.”

Food, music, teach-ins, presentations and workshops will be among informational tables from area organizations that work locally and beyond.

V-Day Schedule of Events @ César Chávez Park

3PM: Teach-In on Rape Culture
Analysis & discussion of our society’s cultural violence that is sexualized
4PM: Teach-In with Local Professor
Class is up to the discretion of the guest teacher but will be on related sex/gender topics.
5PM: Dinner
Menu TBD, veggie & vegan options will be offered.
6PM: V-Men Workshop
Exclusive to men with presentation & discussion on violence-specifically sex violence
7PM: Over It! Presentation
Theatrical performance by Occupy Sacramento women protesters over rape
8PM: Dessert & Conversation

Download: V-Day 2012 Flyer

For more information about upcoming events or other information at Occupy Sacramento’s peaceful assembly rallies visit www.occupysacto.org.