The recent attention brought to the reprehensible remarks and behaviour of US presidential candidate Donald Trump has spotlighted, once again, the insidious and all-encompassing nature of rape culture. Although Trump’s reign of terror is situated in the USA, his remarks and behaviour and the prevailing support for him since their revelation, indicate a problem that reaches far beyond the borders of the United States. There have been ten women who have come forward to date who have made sexual assault allegations against Trump. He has been caught on tape bragging and laughing about his propensity for kissing women without consent. He prides himself on the idea that his fame enables him to do whatever he wants to women, and that they “let” him. He admits to walking into the dressing rooms at the Miss USA pageant and casting his disgusting, voyeuristic gaze at the underage contestants in their various states of undress. And all of this comes in the wake of racist, xenophobic, homo- and trans-phobic, ableist rhetoric that has absolutely characterized Trump’s entire presidential campaign. This man personifies every hideous image of patriarchal, demeaning attitudes to women, and every vile, nightmarish image of rape apologia and encouragement that make the streets, the home, the workplace, the world UNSAFE FOR WOMEN. This does NOT just exist in the USA – it exists here in Canada too. ONE IN EVERY THREE CANADIAN WOMEN IS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN HER LIFETIME. ONLY SIX PERCENT OF THESE ARE REPORTED TO POLICE. This shameful statistic is supported by the behaviours of men like Donald Trump, who try to promote sexual violence and conquest as a pillar of manhood. When men like this thrust themselves into positions of power and leadership, this violent, degrading, destructive manhood is allowed to actually effect change, and we CANNOT let this happen.
Donald Trump wants to grab pussy?
Well on Monday, October 24th, the PUSSY GRABS BACK.
Maybe we can’t act in the US election, but we CAN act on our OWN STREETS, in front of Trump’s hotel.
JOIN US ON OCTOBER 24TH AT 6PM FOR AN EVENING OF SOLIDARITY WITH WOMEN IN THE USA WHO ARE BEING THREATENED WITH DONALD TRUMP AS THEIR PRESIDENT. WE WILL CHANT, WE WILL RAGE, AND WE WILL SPEAK OUT. BRING YOUR SIGNS, BRING YOUR NOISEMAKERS, AND BRING YOUR VOICE. LET’S LET DONALD TRUMP – AND GUESTS AT HIS HOTEL — KNOW WHAT WE THINK OF HIS BULLSHIT.
Our speakers will be Ellie Ade Kur, Akio Maroon, Jassie Justice, and Mandi Grey.
This event welcomes all people who experience sexist and misogynist violence, and all gender queer, trans, Non-binary, queers, women, and allies, to join together to fight against the violent harassment and racism coming forth from Donald Trump’s horrific campaign.
The title of the event is responding directly to a violent and oppressive statement made by Donald Trump. In no way is it intended to create an exclusionary event. On the contrary, this event recognizes all women as women, including those who identify as women all of the time, those who identify as women some of the time and those who identify as women kind of/sort of.
If we can provide support and a more inclusive environment to all folks who wish to participate we will work hard to do so! Please feel free to message or comment to help us work to include more folks and create a safer space.
Rhythms Of Resistance - Toronto 