Originally Published: Chicago Tribune
Attendees hold together red scarves in solidarity during the 2017 Long-Red line event (Posted by ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Community Contributor)
Elgin Community College will host The Long Red Line, a community effort to support One Billion Rising, a global movement to end rape, violence and oppression against women, on Thursday, Feb. 14. The annual event is held from 10 a.m. to noon in the Building B Jobe Lounge. The accompanying art exhibit opening and reception will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. starting in the Building G Spartan Auditorium. Both events will take place at 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL. Admission is free and open to the public.
Now in its seventh year, The Long Red Line is a visual demonstration of solidarity where community members are invited to bring a red scarf or piece of fabric that will be held together by participants-forming one long red line.
To further raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual assault, a juried art exhibit is being curated again this year. ECC students, alumni and district residents were invited to submit their original work that aligned with the current theme: “Rise. Empower. Unite.”
The Long Red Line committee envisioned the art exhibit as an opportunity to give a voice to survivors who may struggle to speak their truth using words.
Twenty-four pieces of chosen artwork will be displayed in the Renner Academic Library hallway gallery in Building C from Jan. 14 to Feb. 28, 2019 and awards will be given during the art exhibit opening and reception on Jan. 29. The reception is an opportunity for guests to view the accepted artwork, meet the artists and hear from one of the hotel workers who led the “Hands Off Pants On” campaign, which launched in 2016 to fight sexual harassment in the hospitality industry.
Through the campaign, UNITE HERE Local 1 was able to garner support to pass a citywide ordinance to help protect more than 15,000 Chicago hotel workers from sexual harassment and assault. The following year, a law was passed to ensure every Chicago hotel housekeeper who works alone is equipped with a panic button for protection.
The art exhibit will be viewable during regular campus hours Monday, Jan. 14 through Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019.
Individuals planning to attend the Feb. 14 Long Red Line event are encouraged to wear a red scarf to participate in the demonstration or red clothing in solidarity. Donations of red scarves or other similar pieces of fabric are being sought for this year’s event. Scarves can be dropped off or mailed to ECC’s Student Life Office, Building B, Room B173, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
Monetary donations are appreciated and organization sponsorships are available.
For more information about the event or art exhibit, go to:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/elgin-courier-news/community/chi-ugc-article-community-invited-to-attend-the-long-red-line-1-2019-01-11-story.html
