Proclamation Establishing San Francisco as a Rape Free Zone and Formally Welcoming V-Day

Proclamation establishing San Francisco as a Rape Free Zone and formally welcoming "V-Day" a global movement to stop violence against women and girls to San Francisco, February 12, 2002:

WHEREAS, "V-Day" is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls for which annual theatrical and artistic events are produced around the world to raise money and to transform consciousness generating a broader attention for the fight to stop worldwide violence against women and girls; and

WHEREAS, Violence against women does not distinguish between class, race, age or locality. Women are beaten in thatched huts, back alleys, plush hotel suites, college dorms high-rise apartments and trailer parks. Women are sold into sexual slavery, burned with acids and mutilated as little girls. Although the particular form of violence may vary from culture to culture, as a result women spend most of their lives recovering from, resisting or surviving violence rather than creating and thriving; and

WHEREAS, the money raised through "V-Day" and on its behalf, is directly donated to grassroots, national and international organizations and programs that work to end rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery; and

WHEREAS, "V-Day" showcases the creativity of women through theatrical events and performances, "The Vagina Monologues" being at the centerpiece of these events; and Now Therefore, Be It

RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Board of Supervisors declares San Francisco a Rape Free Zone and formally; welcomes "V-Day" to San Francisco, February 12, 2002.

In Recognition whereof, I have here unto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City and County of San Francisco to be affixed.

Supervisor Tom Ammiano