Slutwalk Chicago Struts Through The Loop Next Weekend

By aaroncynic in News on Sep 19, 2012 4:00PM

Slutwalk 2011 (photo by Ryan Williams - used with permission)

Slutwalk Chicago will march through the loop once again next Saturday, Sept. 29. The event, spawned initially by comments from a police officer in Toronto who said "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized," will begin with a gathering at the Thompson Center, with a march through the Loop ending with a rally and speakers in Daley Plaza at 2:00pm. Like last year's march, organizers hope to shed light on victim blaming and shaming of survivors of sexual assault.

From the Slutwalk Chicago website:

Slutwalk Chicago aims to combat the myth of "the slut" and the culture of victim blaming that prevails the world over. Our mission is to enforce the truth that those who experience sexual assault are never at fault-- no exceptions. We seek to combat a culture that teaches "don't get raped," as opposed to "don't rape."

Slutwalks have taken place in cities across the world since the first one in Toronto. Given some of the truly ignorant things politicians like Todd Akin and Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh have said when it comes to victims of sexual assault, we think another reminder about the prevailing prevalence of rape culture is overdue.