Hundreds Turn Out for Take Back the Workplace, #MeToo Demonstrations in Hollywood
The #MeToo and “Take Back the Workplace” movements joined forces offline on Sunday as sexual assault, harassment, and abuse survivors took to Los Angeles’ streets in support of each other and the ever-growing list of those coming forward to bring this horrible behavior to light.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the day’s demonstrations began at the Dolby Theatre, which is where the Oscars have been held since 2002. From its location in the Hollywood & Highland Center, marchers wearing “pussy hats” and Wonder Woman T-shirts made their way to the CNN Building on Sunset Boulevard. Later, they headed back toward Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, passing the Walk of Fame—and the stars of alleged assaulters Kevin Spacey and President Donald Trump—along the way.
The day also saw a movement leaders powerfully sharing stories and calling for change.
“We will no longer be intimidated, we will no longer be dismissed, we will no longer be silenced, we will no longer feel alone,” said comedian Tess Rafferty, who co-organized the Take Back the Workplace March. “And if you try and silence or intimidate or discredit one of us, you’re going to have to deal with all of us. We are no longer the ones who have to fear for their jobs, you are.
Tarana Burke, the originator of the #MeToo hashtag a decade ago and an organizer of the #MeToo march, told the crowd, “I don’t want to spend a moment of my time calling names of folks who don’t deserve breath with me. This day is not for them. This day is for us.”
Lauren Sivan, one of Harvey Weinstein’s accusers also spoke: “This is 2017, the time is ripe for a reckoning, for a reordering of power. Today we’re here to tell you that you will no longer keep us quiet, you will no longer label us gold-diggers or psychos. That ends now, because we want our daughters and sons to go to a workplace where they will never have to take a meeting with a dude in a bathrobe.”
And, of course, there were signs.
Burke also gave those listening a call to action as she spoke, making the point that Hollywood and the movie industry aren’t islands when it comes to sexual harassment and assault.
“For every Harvey Weinstein, there’s a hundred more men in the neighborhood who are doing the exact same thing,” Burke said. “The conversation around harassment in Hollywood will broaden to include other industries if we force it to. It’s not going to do it on its own.”
Related Stories:
–Activist Tarana Burke Started the ‘Me Too’ Movement 10 Years Ago
–These Are the Women Who Have Accused Harvey Weinstein of Sexual Harassment or Assault
–Gabrielle Union Claps Back at Sexual Assault Victim Shamers