University will recognize Denim Day on April 24
April 1, 2019
MILWAUKEE — ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ will host events throughout April in support of sexual assault survivors and ending sexual violence and victim blaming. The monthlong observance will culminate on April 24 with Denim Day, the internationally recognized day that has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.
The following events present photo/video opportunities. Media who wish to cover any event should contact Anne Broeker at anne.broeker@marquette.edu.
April 1–22: Campus-wide denim drive
From April 1–22, Marquette will collect used denim to be used in a visual display for Denim Day. Denim will be collected in designated collection bins at various locations throughout campus, including residence halls, Campus Town, McCabe Apartments and the Alumni Memorial Union.
April 5: Jeans for Java
On Friday, April 5, the AMU Brew will serve free coffee for patrons who donate a gently used pair of jeans or other denim items, which will be repurposed for the Denim Day display. Marquette’s police dog Nattie will be at the event from noon to 1 p.m.
April 5, 12 and 17: Denim Day decorating parties
Marquette students will participate in the following decorating parties for the Denim Day visual display. Denim will be re-purposed into a visual display to show support for survivors of sexual assault.
April 24: Denim Day
Denim Day 2019 will be Wednesday, April 24. Students and staff are encouraged to show support for victims of sexual assault by wearing jeans on this day to call for an end to myths surrounding sexual violence. Follow the event on social media with #MarquetteDenimDay.
A visual display will be in Central Mall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information tables will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with program beginning at noon; MUPD Chief Edith Hudson will be the highlighted speaker.
The history of Denim Day
For the past 19 years, has run its Denim Day Campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month. The campaign was originally triggered by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.
Anne is a communication specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Anne at (414) 288-7536 or anne.broeker@marquette.edu.
