Samantha Arcand and her dog Doober wait for the SlutWalk to begin Saturday morning on the Oval. The protest started last April in Toronto as a response to a police officer suggesting women should protect themselves and “avoid dressing like sluts.”
Monica Sposeto and Nell Moroney begin the walk to the courthouse by carrying the sign for the first Missoula SlutWalk Saturday, April 14.
Devin Carpenter passes out handmade signs before the SlutWalk begins. There was a strong male presence standing in solidarity with female friends, girlfriends and co-workers during the event.
Brittany Salley-Rains reads, “No matter what I wear, no matter what I look like, no matter what my gender expression is, no matter how my body has been ‘devalued’ by others, I do not deserve to be raped.” This excerpt is from the Toronto SlutWalk where the event began.
Lydia Bolin, 16, Allie Bolin, 12, and mother Kathi Butler protest on the Higgins Street Bridge Saturday afternoon as participants of SlutWalk. Butler said she was Lydia’s age when she was first assaulted and brought her two daughters and son to the event in hopes they would have a better sense of security than she had.
Elizabeth Harrison speaks to participants of SlutWalk at the Missoula courthouse Saturday afternoon. Harrison said there is a need to stop victim blaming and hold people accountable for their actions and that it shouldn’t matter what someone is wearing or drinking; rape is never a victim’s fault.
