Protesters Rallied in Snowstorm, Outside of the Trump International Hotel to Say “No More” to Sexual Harassment and Assault
NOW-NY Launches “Stick Up for Survivors: A #MeToo Wall of Post-Its” at the Columbus Circle Subway Station
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Kenneth Londono, kenneth.londono@berlinrosen.
NEW YORK, NY – December 11, 2017 – Sexual assault and harassment survivors and supporters joined the National Organization for Women – New York and other women’s right groups to rally and protest outside Trump International Hotel in New York City to call for an end to sexual violence and harassment. Following two high-profile resignations of Congressional Democrats, protesters questioned why Donald Trump has yet to be held accountable for the more than one dozen reports of sexual harassment and assault he is facing. After the rally, NOW-NY led participants in creating a visual representation of #MeToo at the Columbus Circle subway station, asking commuters to stop and post their own #MeToo stories and messages of support and solidarity.
“#MeToo is a movement and a rallying call for all survivors and supporters to demand an end to rape culture and change the culture of silence and complicity around sexual assault and harassment,” said Sonia Ossorio, President of the National Organization for Women – New York. “We are standing as a unified front to create a space for victims to come forward and share their stories, while also holding abusers accountable.”
The rally was led by two survivors, Annmarie Haubert and Connie Vasquez, who came up with the idea after connecting on social media through the #MeToo movement.
“This #MeToo movement will turn into a #NotMe moment, where the world we live in is different,” said Ossorio from the rally stage.
Speakers included artists, performers, and representatives from Black Women’s Blueprint, End Abuse 4 Good, Feminist Press, Protect NY Kids, The Gaia Project for Women’s Leadership, New Yorkers Against Hidden Predators, and Safe Horizon.
Responding to the New York City Police Department’s directive to take down the #MeToo Post-Its at the Columbus Circle station, NOW-NY members temporarily displayed the notes on their signs and bodies chanting, “Our voices will breakthrough, that’s why we say Me Too!” The organization was able to salvage the Post-It notes and is working with the MTA to find a way to honor the outpouring of stories.
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The National Organization for Women New York (NOW-NY) advocates for women and girls across our state by working to defend reproductive rights, fight economic inequality, and end discrimination and violence against women.