Denim Day, a global campaign
We are on a mission to end sexual violence and to disrupt rape culture globally. Our impact depends on our collective action as a movement; it’s going to take millions of us coming together to support survivors, advocate for change and transform culture. We can’t do this alone.
Denim Day Worldwide
What started as a local campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into a worldwide movement. As the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day has reached schools, businesses, families, children and youth, survivors, landmarks and communities all over the world. The campaign was developed to be a foundation that individuals and entities could adapt and make their own. Over the last 20 years, we’ve seen some incredible activations that have involved one person wearing jeans and sharing a photo on social media to hundreds of people marching across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Regardless of how you show your solidarity for survivors, by participating in Denim Day you are supporting the mission to end sexual violence and to disrupt rape culture.
Denim Day Los Angeles
Sexual Violence: Not on my Campus
Throughout Los Angeles County, POV staff and volunteers were present at middle schools, high schools and college campuses to support and take part in activations hosted by students, clubs and departments. It is always inspirational to see student led activities that have been creatively produced specifically for targeted peer groups to engage and participate in the campaign.
The Official Denim Rally and Press Conference at Los Angeles City Hall
In Los Angeles, we kicked off Denim Day strong with a rally and press conference at LA City Hall. Over 100 people showed up wearing their jeans with a purpose, showing solidarity with survivors and a commitment to educating about the impact of sexual violence. We were re-inspired and motivated to continue our efforts to support, educate and advocate. Morning coffee was provided by Iron & Kin and Cafe Santo and Ni Santas created beautiful tote bags with our Denim Day messages to gift to guests.
Patti Giggans, Executive Director of POV and Founder of Denim Day • Mayor Eric Garcetti, City of Los Angeles • Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles County • Councilwoman Nury Martinez, Los Angeles City Council • Maya Jupiter and Aloe Blacc, artivists and Denim Day spokescouple • Nadine Lee, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority • Troy Flanagan, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Industry Relations of the American Hotel and Lodging Association • Danah Cleaton, Survivor, Denim Day Campaign Poster Model • Dania Alkhouli, Poet • Monique Coleman, actress, advocate, host of “Gimme Mo
The City and County of Los Angeles Declare April 24, 2019 Denim Day
When the campaign began, the city and county of Los Angeles were the first to declare Denim Day. Once again, the Supervisors and Councilmembers welcomed Peace Over Violence to share the Denim Day story and bring awareness to the issue of sexual violence. POV Executive Director and Denim Day Founder, Patti Giggans, shared with the Board of Supervisors and City Council the history of when the campaign began 20 years ago, in between critical movements like Take Back the Nights and #MeToo. Alongside Patti in Council Chambers was survivor and Denim Day Campaign Poster Model, Danah Cleaton, who shared her story of healing and how important it is for people show up for survivors.
Building Sexual Harassment-Free Zones in Los Angeles Event at Union Station
We geared up for Denim Day with incredible workshops at our event: Building Sexual Harassment-Free Zones in Los Angeles. Workshops included DIY screen printing, empowerment self-defense training, and collective songwriting. We were also joined by incredible leaders for a conversation about building sexual harassment free zones in Los Angeles. Moderated by Laura P. Minero, a doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology department at University of Wisconsin-Madison and Predoctoral Ford Fellow • Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Co-Chair LA Metro Board • Elba Higueros, Chief Policy Officer LA Metro • Sharon Shelton, The Los Angeles County Women And Girls Initiative Governing Council & Vice President for the YWCA Greater Los Angeles • Jennifer Loew, Special Project Manager of System Security and Law Enforcement Department at LA Metro • Hannah Denyer, Prevention Education Coordinator at Peace Over Violence
A big thank you to Metro, YWCA-Greater Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Women and Girls Initiative Governing Council for partnering with us for this event!
Gear Up: 20 Years of Denim Day Event at the Mayfair Hotel
On Wednesday, April 10th in downtown Los Angeles, where Denim Day began 20 years ago, Peace Over Violence celebrated twenty years of what has become the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history. This special event was opened up by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Denim Day Honorary Chair, to kick off the evening honoring 20 key individuals and organizations who have supported, helped and guided our movement with their persistence and commitment to the mission to end sexual violence and to disrupt rape culture in our communities. READ MORE