Winnipeg will host it’s second annual SlutWalk on Saturday, September 15, 2012. The walk will begin at 12:00PM at the Law Courts at 408 York Avenue and will end at the Legislative Buildings at 450 Broadway (1.5 kms) followed by speakers on the subject of sexual violence including representatives from Winnipeg group CherryStems, Winnipeg SlutWalk organizers Sam Harris and Sherrie-Lee Chiarot, with additional speakers to be confirmed closer to the date.
The SlutWalk protest marches began on April 3, 2011, in Toronto, Canada, and became a movement of rallies across the world. Participants protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman’s appearance. The rallies began when Constable Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto Police officer, suggested that to remain safe, “women should avoid dressing like sluts.”
The organizers of the Winnipeg SlutWalk are focused on demonstrating the diversity of experiences and communities this movement galvanizes – emphasizing the fact there is no such thing as an “inauthentic” rape victim, all victims are real, and all are deserving of the protection of law-enforcement and the court system regardless of any choices made or lifestyles practices. The Winnipeg SlutWalk organizers are a diverse group including a wide range of ages, education and experiences – each with their own individual goals and agendas for the event. The Winnipeg organizers have added a slogan to the local walk, acknowledging the fact the name of the event is troubling for some groups and individuals: “SlutWalk: I am not the label you place on me.”
For more information, head to the SlutWalk website. Here are photos from the 2011 march:
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