ONE BILLION RISING BRUSSELS 2014: The heart of Europe beats for justice!
[Brussels, 14 February 2014] One Billion Rising for Justice Brussels 2014 has been a great success! Despite the rain, the cold and the transport strike, a committed crowd of people have risen, danced and spoke out to end violence against women and demand justice for its victims. Thank you all for taking part again in this amazing global campaign of ONE BILLION RISING (OBR), initiated by V-Day.
In front of the Palais de Justice we made the heart of Brussels beat for justice! There was live music by Clinik du Dr. Poembak, Mary Anne Struthers, an amazing acrobatic espectacle by Chorro el Toro and we all sang and danced on the EWL song "Rise up! Stand Up!". Also, L’athénée Royale Uccle 1 did an extraordinary flashmob on the OBR song"Break the chains".
We also collected testimonies of women victims of violence and symbolically put all the testimonies in red suitcases in front of the Justice Palace in order to speak out about the urgent need for justice and support for victims.
The EWL big banner showing colourful hands representing all the women rising in the world and full of signatures from committed MEPs was brought to the square bringing great motivation to the crowd dancing and rising!
More pictures here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/european_womens_lobby/sets/72157640973263015/
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) joined forces with its Belgian members, le Conseil des Femmes Francophones de Belgique (CFFB) and the Nederlandstalige Vrouwenraad (NVR) in the organisation of this extraordinary Brussels event of the One Billion Rising Global Campaign. Fight Back, a new Belgian organisation to fight for and defend the rights of rape-victims, took also part at the meeting this week and very actively supported the action of today.
Thank you all for coming and see you next year!
“Justice begins when we speak, release, and acknowledge the truth in solidarity and community. The ONE BILLION RISING FOR JUSTICE is an invitation to break free from confinement, obligation, shame, guilt, grief, pain, humiliation, rage, and bondage.”
