V-DAY OLIVER-OSOYOOS JOINS GLOBAL CAMPAIGN – ONE BILLION RISING – TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

February 14, 2013 to be V-Day’s Largest Day of Action Ever

February 14, Oliver: On February 14, 2013, at 4:00pm, residents of Oliver will join with activists around the world for ONE BILLION RISING, the largest day of action in the history of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.

ONE BILLION RISING began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On February 14, 2013, V-Day’s 15th anniversary, V-Day Oliver-Osoyoos will join activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and women and men across the world as we express their outrage, demand change, strike, dance, and RISE in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last to violence against women.

“We are inviting all women, girls and those who love them to come out, dance, walk, rise up and demand an end to violence,” says one of the local organizers Paula R. de la Vega. “It is a call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends.”

Join the One Billion Rising Event on Feb. 14th from 4:00-5:00pm, at Medici’s Gelateria & Coffee House in Oliver.

“To show solidarity, we are encouraging everybody to wear black and red clothing,” says de la Vega. Come listen to local women read Eve Ensler’s “Rising” monologue, join us in “Break the Chain” step dance, and win a door prize. This is a free event.

“There may even be a last chance to buy your Valentine’s Day Raffle ticket with the chance to win a catered dinner for ten at your home,” says de la Vega. “The draw will be done around 4:00pm”. All proceeds will benefit Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centres in Oliver and Osoyoos.

“It’s also the first day tickets for the benefit production of The Vagina Monologues are available for sale. This award –winning play is being organized and put on by local volunteers and will be held on April 6th in Osoyoos,” says de la Vega.