Oklahoma IWW Statement of Solidarity with #YesAllDaughters

north america / mexico | gender | other libertarian press Monday November 24, 2014 12:30 by Dr. Zakk Flash - Oklahoma Industrial Workers of the World

Students at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma will walk out of their classes at 9:20 A.M. on Monday, November 24th, 2014 to be greeted by hundreds of activists and supporters boldly standing with them in solidarity.

As a union committed to the abolition of patriarchy and all forms of exploitation, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) stands with these students in solidarity and will be represented at the walkout. Christophe Parsons, a delegate for the Oklahoma IWW, was part of the core group of organizers. Parsons said, "Both as a friend of the survivor and as a revolutionary unionist committed to building a new world, inaction was not an option. I am proud of my fellow students and community supporters who have rallied around these girls, and I am proud of my union, which has showed incredible solidarity and support in organizing this event." [Italiano]

Oklahoma IWW Statement of Solidarity with #YesAllDaughters

Students at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma will walk out of their classes at 9:20 A.M. on Monday, November 24th, 2014 to be greeted by hundreds of activists and supporters boldly standing with them in solidarity. Why?

Throughout the semester, an 18-year-old senior at the school raped three female students, publicized the rapes and humiliated the survivors. These girls were met with bullying and harassment, one being forced to leave the school because of constant hazing; another was not even able to enter the school before being violently confronted by the rapist's friends. Another retaliated when being harassed and was asked to leave the school for the remainder of the year until things "blow over." The administration punished the survivor for self-defense and has done nothing to address rape, sexual assault and harassment in their school community.

A brave group of students, supporters, and friends of the survivors decided to take action against this injustice. Three weeks ago, meeting in coffeehouses and in supporter's homes, a core group of organizers brainstormed what they could do to force the administration to address this problem. Through cooperation with local activists and media, the #YesAllDaughters campaign was born, garnering almost 5,000 likes in two weeks, bringing media attention to the issue (including a publishing in Jezebel) and rallying hundreds of students and supporters to stand outside the school next Monday morning.

As a union committed to the abolition of patriarchy and all forms of exploitation, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) stands with these students in solidarity and will be represented at the walkout. Christophe Parsons, a delegate for the Oklahoma IWW, was part of the core group of organizers. Parsons said, "Both as a friend of the survivor and as a revolutionary unionist committed to building a new world, inaction was not an option. I am proud of my fellow students and community supporters who have rallied around these girls, and I am proud of my union, which has showed incredible solidarity and support in organizing this event."

"Anyone who denies the role that patriarchy plays in oppression, anyone who will not practice gender equity and feminism is not a revolutionary. The Oklahoma IWW will not stand silent in the face of such a blatant injustice in our community against our young people," said Parsons.

The Oklahoma IWW echoes the cries of the student-activists and stands alongside them in their struggle and the struggle of all victims of patriarchy. #YesAllDaughters

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Oklahoma Industrial Workers of the World

Branch Secretary - Peter Gotcher

Deputy Secretary - Dr. Zakk Flash

The Oklahoma IWW can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OklahomaIWW, or reached via the following contacts:

· General Branch Communications: iwwoklahoma@gmail.com (539) 664-6769

· Mitchel Runnels, Tulsa/Eastern Oklahoma Delegate: namesaintmystrongpoint@gmail.com (918) 729-2534

· Christophe L. Parsons, Oklahoma City/Western Oklahoma Delegate: chrislparsons@riseup.net (405) 255-5119