By ASIA EWART
Staff Writer
One Billion Rising has returned to Saint Rose for a second year, and the event couldn’t be more well-received. Senior Maya Hall initially brought the idea to campus last spring and has been in charge of its events ever since.
“One Billion Rising is a revolution, a global strike, and a call to men and women to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends,” Hall describes of the empowering movement. “One Billion Rising invites Saint Rose students, faculty, and the Albany community to show the world a refusal to accept violence against women and girls.”
Following the format of last year’s activities, the One Billion Rising team planned a week of events meant to educate and inform students and faculty members back in February. From February 10-14, everything from a movie and discussion to a self-defense workshop was held on campus.
“[There] was movie night; we watched Safe Haven, and then had a follow up discussion. We had Jeopardy with domestic violence facts, and then there was self-defense. Thursday [of that week] was supposed to be a benefit concert, and Friday, the actual event, [but] both had to be postponed due to weather,” said Hall.
The constant snow and rain has been a source of many cancelled events this semester, but that didn’t stop the committee members from finding a way to spread the message of ending rape culture. The ending dance, which One Billion Rising is most known for on campus, was rescheduled for the end of Social Justice Week, on March 28. Festivities took place in the Main Lounge, where tables from local groups Equinox and the Legal Project were set up to give information on domestic violence and how to seek help. Committee members and seniors Mark Jones and Debbie Loujimi manned both the raffles and a table of crafts set up to create an encouragement board; students were free to write loving words to victims on construction paper hearts. Among the prizes raffled off were health and beauty products and a Fossil watch. Also for sale were One Billion Rising shirts baring this year’s theme “Rising for Justice” all proceeds went to Equinox.
Despite the weather and change in schedule, Hall is excited to see her efforts come to fruition.
“I envisioned OBR taking off even more this year because of the great response from students, faculty and outside participants. This year, we wanted to match that enthusiasm and then some to really make OBR something even more special to those participants.”
On the heels of last year’s success, she made sure not to slack with the planning, starting last semester.
“Planning in itself is a lot of work, but when it is from something that you are passionate about, it does not seem like that much work. This year, the planning started earlier than last year. I started planning back in November. Through Dennis McDonald and my own social media and emails, I gathered students interested in being a part of the committee. I got some new faces and some old, all dedicated to the cause. From there, we held meetings every week to discuss the progress of tasks delegated from the previous weeks. The committee was able to pick the area that they wanted to be in which were gathering allies committee, fundraising/promotions and pre-event.”
In addition to Hall, Jones, and Loujimi, students Brian Willis, Gerald Moore, and Imran Hossain were among the committee members to help plan One Billion Rising.
“I think it’s amazing that we can help spread awareness like this,” graduate student Moore commented on why he decided to take part in the movement. “It’s important to help out others and let them know they’re not alone or without help.”
“Domestic violence happens every day,” Jones added. “By bringing awareness to a college campus, it can spread to other campuses, and that will lead to a decrease.”
One Billion Rising brings to forefront matters that students may not think about on a regular basis, though everyone goes through different issues. Hall only hopes that students learn a sense of support and comradery for those in domestic violence situations, that the power of a support system is a step in the right direction.
Any students looking to participate in next year’s One Billion Rising event can contact Hall, Dennis McDonald, or Joan Horgan for more information.
