1 Billion Rising 2016
Feb, 11 2016
~Previously on the CCG website there was a preview of this years 1 billion rising event. Now I can exclusively reveal more information of an event which has grown from strength to strength.
First, the statistics. One in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. In Preston alone over 4,000 women and girls aged between 16 and 59 have suffered from domestic violence in the past year. In a great fury to such figures UCLAN began the 1 billion rising dance campaign on Valentines Day, February 14th 2012.
In complete contrast to what Valentines Day is supposed to represent, couples spending quality time together. Our dance initiative is a stampeding march in defiance of the brutality women should not endure.
Four years on and sordid acts of violence and rape is continuing. In 2016 the fight lives on and UCLAN will be a part of it once again.
The global One Billion Rising for Justice (VDay) campaign will be held on Sunday 14 February. It invites people from all over the world to gather safely in places where they are entitled to justice such as court houses, police stations, government offices, school administration buildings and places of worship. The Preston gathering, organised by the UCLAN Creative Communities Group (CCGUK), will take place in UCLAN’S Atrium Building in the Students’ Union (SU) 11am – 1pm.
Our friends abroad will play a part in the campaign too. A link live on the web will see us dance with Nigeria, South Africa and London. Back in Preston, dance instructor and World Salsa Dance champion Phil Kaila and Salsa Northwest will be leading the dance extravaganza. All the footage will be edited together and sent to the One Billion Rising Website.
Russell Hogarth, co-founder and chair of the UCLAN CCGUK, has
helped to organise the gathering and has these motivational words of encouragement to all those who wish to attend,
“The Preston event will bring as many people as possible to UCLAN’S Atrium to dance and stand together in solidarity on the same day as people from more than 200 other countries around the world. We want to deliver a powerful and positive message that the Preston community will not tolerate violence towards women and girls.”
North West MEP Julie Ward and Malaysian TV Personality Lakshmi Appadorai Baker will also take part in the event to share their support. Lakshmi, who is also a former Miss India, producer, scriptwriter, host and singer, has a personal experience of abuse that she openly shares with other women as a mark of respect for the message the day delivers.
As in previous years the UCLAN press coverage and VIP guests like those mentioned above will help to promote and skilfully publish the mornings dancing. It will also act as an important event that should reach the hearts of those either affected or have seen the deterioration of it upon friends or relatives.
Anyone wishing to take part can turn up on the day or contact Russell by calling 01772 894707. Discover more about the One Billion Rising movement by visiting the website or follow the #Rise4Revolution on Twitter.
So, once again that’s this Sunday 14th February 11am -1pm at UCLAN’S Atrium Building in the Student’s Union.
Please see links below for the UCLan press release and previous events:-
One Billion rising press release 2016 http://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/uclan-campaign-end-violence-women.php
One Billion rising press release 2015 UCLan CCG 2015 Event
One Billion rising Video http://youtu.be/gl2AO-7Vlzk
One Billion Rising in Second Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AUYdrhoDfE
As a prelude to the morning’s activity this Sunday February 14th, Russell Hogarth has these closing comments,
“We are looking forward to joining forces live on the web with Creative Communities Group colleagues in Nigeria, South Africa and London who will be dancing alongside us. We will also have dance instructor and World Salsa dance champion Phil Kaila and Salsa Northwest helping us with the routine accompanied by live music.”
Will you break the chain? Be there Sunday to find out.
