01-05-2025
Denim Day: Marching for survivors
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Chants of 'No means no!' echoed across the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday as hundreds of marchers, clad in denim, turned the city into a platform of support and solidarity for survivors of sexual assault.
Angelina Rosado was among those leading the charge, her voice ringing out alongside fellow survivors and supporters.
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The annual Denim Day event brings people together to raise awareness about sexual violence and protest victim-blaming by wearing denim, a powerful symbol with a global history.
'My story was that I was sexually molested around the age of five or six. It was a family friend,' Rosado shared, explaining that she didn't speak about her experience until she was 23.
Like Rosado, advocates and survivors addressed the crowd gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall before marching together across the bridge to Foley Square. Their stories and presence sent a strong message about the importance of breaking the silence and supporting one another.
'It would definitely have a major impact because they're seeing that we are the face of change, because we're bringing light in a place where there is so much darkness,' said Angie Martinez, another survivor.
Denim Day began after a 1990s Italian court overturned a rape conviction, arguing that the victim's tight jeans implied consent because they were difficult to remove. Outraged, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in protest, sparking a movement that spread worldwide. Since then, wearing denim on this day has become a symbol of protest against harmful myths and attitudes about sexual violence.
This year's event started with speeches and an all-denim fashion show, setting the tone for a day focused on education and empowerment.
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Michelle Kaminsky, Chief of the Gender-Based Violence Division at the Kings County District Attorney's Office, emphasized the importance of supporting survivors in the justice system.
'So we are very much aware of this. It is part of our education of the community in terms of the cases that we bring in court and how we're constantly educating jurors, and challenging belief systems,' Kaminsky said.
For Rosado, speaking out marked a turning point. Now the executive director of Sisters In Purple, she leads efforts to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
'My story's gonna help save somebody. What I didn't realize is actually being able to speak it out loud actually freed me even more. And I'm able to stand in front of you and say it without crying,' Rosado said.
As marchers crossed the bridge in their denim, they said it was more than just a march. It was a powerful message of solidarity.
'The message that I have for anyone that is experiencing sexual assault currently or has experienced it in the past is that you're not alone,' Rosado said.
If you are a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, visit the Sisters in Purple website.
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