One Billion Rising comes through downtown Jackson
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JACKSON, Tenn. — A global campaign against domestic and sexual violence made its way to Jackson Friday. Dozens of abuse survivors and victim advocates gathered at City Hall to dance and march as part of the One Billion Rising campaign, locally sponsored by the Wo/Mens Resource and Rape Assistance Program, or WRAP. Abuse survivor Carla Croom said she and a few friends wanted to be part of the event to show they’re full of life and to help other victims. “Things in life that happened to us bad does not define who we are,” she said. Croom said it’s important for people to see women sticking together. Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris said the event is a good way to raise awareness of these issues. “It takes events like this and groups like WRAP to put it on the forefront and keep it on everybody’s mind,” Harris said before the group began dancing. More than half of personal crimes in the area are related to domestic or sexual abuse, according to Daryl Chansuthus, executive director of WRAP. The event was about more than overcoming that, with lyrics such as “women are not a possession” and “Break the Chain,” some said the song at the heart of the movement empowered victims. “The song is a song about breaking the chain of violence, and part of doing that is about women recognizing their own value in the world,” Chansuthus said. Some who came out Friday said they want the next generation to take control of ending violence. “Because we do have young family members and we never want this to happen to them,” Carolyn Knox said. “This needs to stop in this generation.” One Billion Rising launched on Valentine’s Day 2012 as a worldwide event.
