Though many will take to the streets Saturday morning for the Homecoming Parade, on Friday afternoon, Athens will see a different type of gathering.
F---kRapeCulture, a student social change organization, is holding a march and rally to combat rape culture at Ohio University. The rally and march will start at McCracken Field and move up Palmer, Mill and Court streets.
“We wanted to hit some of the streets where we have encountered the most problems,” said Claire Chadwick, co-founder of F--kRapeCulture and a junior studying sociology. “We want to draw attention to those areas so they can take this as an opportunity to make a difference and not promote that culture of catcalling or groping.”
Participants can dress however they feel comfortable — including going topless.
“Girls can be topless, wearing a bra, but no matter what, that’s still not consent,” Chadwick said.
Those wanting to dress down need not worry about any issue from police for their lack of clothing. In Ohio, it is not illegal to be topless.
The group garnered attention last month with its members’ protest to the OU Marching 110’s original plan to play “Blurred Lines” during its halftime show.
However, Chadwick said the group is more than just a protest to a song.
“Our biggest concerns are policies the university has or doesn’t have and the culture here at OU,” she said. “The university doesn’t have sexual-harassment training and only in the last six months has it become an internal policy that those who are raped after drinking underage won’t be charged for the underage. … We want to focus on educating the student body.”
