Until the Violence Stops: Detroit

UTVS Detroit is a two-week long festival, happening at the end of February 2009. The event is a part of V-Day, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending violence against women and girls. The organization is considered radical, in that it does not seek to decrease violence. It seeks to eradicate it – everywhere. V-Day does work domestically and globally, reaching countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mexico.

UTVS Detroit gives individuals and organizations in Michigan the opportunity to speak out on the issue of gender-based violence and to take action. The kick-off event for the festival was a 2-day expo held at the Gibraltar Trade Center in Mount Clemens, Michigan on August 2nd and 3rd. Vendors performed massages and yoga. They sold oils, perfumes, books and jewelry. There was also an activist corner where Planned Parenthood provided an opportunity for people to volunteer and show support for our Prevention First campaign.

Highlights of the expo included the Red Tent, which is a safe space for women to enter and reflect on their experiences. The V-Day documentary “Until the Violence Stops” was broadcast throughout the day for free. Finally, there was a display using 73 pairs of empty women’s shoes to show how many women would die in the state of Michigan due to gender-based violence this year.

At Planned Parenthood, we care about women’s health, physical and emotional. It is great to work with other community partners like V-Day organizers who have similar ideals. The president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America delivered a message of solidarity at V-Day’s V to the Tenth celebration in New Orleans. It assured women that Planned Parenthood takes the issue of violence against women seriously, and that we intend to be a partner in the movement that will one day end it.

For information on Planned Parenthood’s involvement with V to the Tenth, see http://www.plannedparenthood.org/issues-action/other/celebrate-v-days-10th-anniversary-19659.htm.