Alexandria Celebrates Women Encourages Denim Day Support April 30
The nonprofit asks Alexandria community to wear denim to protest sexual assault
Alexandria, VA — Alexandria Celebrates Women is calling on the community to take a stand against sexual assault by participating in Denim Day on Wednesday, April 30. In support of this powerful global movement, residents are invited to don their favorite pair of jeans and head to Del Ray Pizzeria for an evening of solidarity, music, and activism.
The longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
Denim Day is recognized on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. According to the Denim Day website:
“…it began in Italy 1992, when an 18-year-old girl was raped by the 45-year-old driving instructor who was taking her to her very first driving lesson. He took her to an isolated road, pulled her out of the car, removed her jeans and forcefully raped her.
She reported the rape and the perpetrator was arrested and prosecuted. He was then convicted of rape and sentenced to jail. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming that the sex was consensual, leading the Italian Supreme Court to overturn the conviction and release the perpetrator. A statement from the Court argued that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she had to help remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not rape but consensual sex. This became known throughout Italy as the “jeans alibi.”
Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament launched a protest wearing jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court. This protest was picked up by international media which inspired the California Senate and Assembly to do the same on the steps of the capitol in Sacramento. Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence, saw this in the media and thought everyone should be wearing jeans to protest all of the myths about why women and girls are raped…The first Denim Day [was a Los Angeles] event held in April 1999, and has continued annually since.”
In Alexandria, the Denim Day event will feature live music by Hope & Nat, raffles, giveaways, and fun competitions, all while shedding light on the importance of consent and survivor support.
“Sexual assault is a really big problem,” said Pat Miller, executive director of Alexandria Celebrates Women. “And Denim Day is a unique way to bring more awareness to this major problem.”
Whether you’re a long-time advocate or just learning about the cause, all are welcome to join the evening celebration.
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