Photo Credits: Anna Webber and Dia Dipasupil for Getty

On Tuesday, 14 February, women and men throughout the US and in 200 countries worldwide will came together and RISE to end violence against all women and girls (cis, transgender and gender non-conforming) as part of V-Day’s massive annual One Billion Rising campaign. In New York, hundreds of activists gathered in Washington Square park, in a response to the current racist, misogynist, xenophobic political climate where the rights of women, refugees, immigrants, Muslims, LGBTQIAGNC people, African Americans, the indigenous, and the poor are at serious risk. The rally was a radical collective experience, featuring song, dance, poetry, testimony, and revolutionary love.

“We declare our love for all who are in harm’s way, including refugees, immigrants, Muslims, LGBTQIAGNC people, Black people, the indigenous, the poor, and women and girls at risk of violence. We vow to see you as our brothers and sisters and fight by your side…We join forces and stand together with the millions of people across the planet who are rising to end violence against and girls and resist racist patriarchy. To protect women who are most often the most vulnerable within marginalized communities. We take part in it to honor our mothers whose bodies and beings and blood carved the path we are walking on. We are rising – we are dancing – to find the new language of these times – built on a deeper education, radical listening, humility and empathy.”

Performers included: Ryan Amador, Donna Auston, BETTY, Justin Vivian Bond, Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer, Great Caesar, Staceyann Chin, Kate Clinton, Julissa Contreras, Michael Cunningham, Eve Ensler, Laura Flanders, FogoAzul NYC, Dan Fogler, Alixa Garcia of Climbing PoeTree, Suzanne Gardinier, Judy Gold, Kana H, Valarie Kaur, James Lecesne, Amy León, Dana Levinson, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis – Middle Collegiate Church, Jerriese Johnson Gospel Choir, Carmen Perez, Gloreatha Phillips, Kashish Shamsi, Ally Sheedy, Elizabeth Streb, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Imani Uzuri, Kiah Victoria, Women’s March, and audience members who took to the stage to rant as part of the “Where We Meet” artist collective, called the Ranting Box.

Here’s a look at the event: