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SlutWalk LA: Saturday, 6/4 @ West Hollywood Park
Photo of protesters at SlutWalk Ottowa by some of rebecca's photos via Flickr
When Toronto police officer Michael Sanguinetti told a group of students at Osgoode Hall Law School of York University in January that the women among them should avoid "dressing like sluts" lest they be raped, little did he know that he was about to spark a movement. Outraged by the incident -- and others like it -- local activists Heather Jarvis and Sonya Barnett launched SlutWalk, described on its website as a mission to spread the word that "those who experience sexual assault are not the ones at fault, without exception."
The first SlutWalk was held in Toronto on April 3. Nearly 3,000 people showed up to participate, according to the Huffington Post. Holding signs saying "I'm a Slut, Don't Assault Me" and "We've Had Enough," some also dressed in skimpy or revealing outfits to emphasize the point that a person's clothing doesn't make it OK to assault them.
The use of "slut" in the event's name has drawn criticism, but organizers say that part of the goal of the event is to reclaim the word.
Following the inaugural event, SlutWalks have taken place all over the country and the world, including in Boston, Chicago and parts of Australia. On June 4, SlutWalks will be held in Amsterdam, Sweden, Denmark, Brazil and Canberra in addition to Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles event will begin at 12:00 noon at West Hollywood Park. Participants will then march up Robertson to Santa Monica, east to La Cienega, and then double back to West Hollywood Park.
To participate, just show up.
SlutWalk LA
West Hollywood Park
647 N San Vicente Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Saturday, June 4
12:00 noon
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