The anti-street harassment organization Hollaback launches new websites in 13 new cities today. From their press release:
“Today fifty activists from thirteen cities around the world are bringing the movement to end street harassment to their communities in:
Birmingham, UK
Bristol, UK
Chandigarh, India
Chicago, IL
Des Moines, IA
Lawrence, KS
Istanbul, Turkey
Puerto Rico
Queretaro, Mexico
Richmond, VA
Tegus, Honduras
Wellington, NZ
West Yorkshire, UK
“Hollaback! isn’t just an app or a map — it’s a movement,” said Hollaback! Board Chair and co-founder, Samuel Carter. We are now in 37 cities and 15 countries [many of them aren’t active anymore], with leaders speaking more than eight different languages.
“The growth of the movement demonstrates the pervasive nature of street harassment globally,” said Hollaback! International Movement Coordinator, Veronica Pinto. “At the same time, the response of activists around the world is incredible as we see the determination of folks who are fighting for their safety, fighting for their streets, and fighting for the right to be who they are.”
Local Hollaback! site leaders run their local blog and organize their communities through advocacy, community partnerships, and direct action. Site leaders are as diverse in their backgrounds as they are in their experiences of harassment. Hollaback! reports that 44% lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer, 26% identify as people of color, 76% are under the age of 30, and 90% are women.
“If I have my way, these won’t just be the leaders of the movement to end street harassment. These will be the next leaders of the world,” said Hollaback! Executive Director Emily May.
Although most of them are less than six months old, Hollaback! international sites are already having a big impact. In Bristol, UK, the team is working on an anti-street harassment task force with local officials. In Atlanta, the team did a community safety audit, and in Buenos Aires, Tegus, and Mexico City, the teams helped to coordinate their cities’ first SlutWalks, which were designed to bring awareness to women’s right to feel safe in public space.
We are currently recruiting activists for the next launch in November. If you’d like to bring Hollaback home, email us at holla AT ihollaback.org today.
Until then, please congratulate our new sites at ihollaback.org.”
