Martin Blank
27th February 2012, 09:32
Right now, the #Occupy group where I am (www.occupysaginaw.com) is sponsoring an International Women's Day march and rally that is focusing on the issue of rape and rape culture.
The number of rapes that take place in Michigan is three times higher than the national average, and the average for Saginaw County is about double the per capita average in the state -- most of them happening in the city. However, arrests stemming from rape reports are the fifth-lowest in the country. Of the 263 reported rapes in Saginaw in 2010, only 11 people were arrested. You do the math.
It is something of an open secret that some of the most violent serial rapists in Saginaw wear (or have worn) badges and guns. They are protected not only by the Police and Sheriff's Departments, but also by the county judges and prosecutors. The bosses' media -- print, radio and television -- refuses to report on rape allegations. The main hospitals have a habit of "losing" or "contaminating" rape kits. Any lawyer who tries to take on this misogynistic order usually gets run out of town on a rail. And victims who try to push the issue and pressure the prosecutor often get threatened with criminal charges themselves!
I would like to urgently appeal to comrades in Michigan, and the Midwest generally, to consider coming to Saginaw for the event. I'm not sure if this is going to go smoothly or get ugly (given the role of the state in protecting rapists, I would not be surprised if the cops decide to riot). One way or another, I'd like to have as much backup there as possible.
The event is Thursday, March 8. It begins at the entrance to Ojibway Island at 11:30 a.m. We'll march over the bridge, beginning at 11:45, to the park across the street from the County Courthouse. The rally begins at noon and goes until (roughly) 2 p.m. There are Google maps already available in the calendar section of the website.
There is no embargo on slogans, signs, banners, etc., on our part. After we've went through the speakers and other scheduled appearances, we (Occupy Saginaw) will most likely (pending approval) convene a GA and continue having speakers and open-mic discussion.
If your organization wants to endorse and/or have a formal speaker, contact us.
The number of rapes that take place in Michigan is three times higher than the national average, and the average for Saginaw County is about double the per capita average in the state -- most of them happening in the city. However, arrests stemming from rape reports are the fifth-lowest in the country. Of the 263 reported rapes in Saginaw in 2010, only 11 people were arrested. You do the math.
It is something of an open secret that some of the most violent serial rapists in Saginaw wear (or have worn) badges and guns. They are protected not only by the Police and Sheriff's Departments, but also by the county judges and prosecutors. The bosses' media -- print, radio and television -- refuses to report on rape allegations. The main hospitals have a habit of "losing" or "contaminating" rape kits. Any lawyer who tries to take on this misogynistic order usually gets run out of town on a rail. And victims who try to push the issue and pressure the prosecutor often get threatened with criminal charges themselves!
I would like to urgently appeal to comrades in Michigan, and the Midwest generally, to consider coming to Saginaw for the event. I'm not sure if this is going to go smoothly or get ugly (given the role of the state in protecting rapists, I would not be surprised if the cops decide to riot). One way or another, I'd like to have as much backup there as possible.
The event is Thursday, March 8. It begins at the entrance to Ojibway Island at 11:30 a.m. We'll march over the bridge, beginning at 11:45, to the park across the street from the County Courthouse. The rally begins at noon and goes until (roughly) 2 p.m. There are Google maps already available in the calendar section of the website.
There is no embargo on slogans, signs, banners, etc., on our part. After we've went through the speakers and other scheduled appearances, we (Occupy Saginaw) will most likely (pending approval) convene a GA and continue having speakers and open-mic discussion.
If your organization wants to endorse and/or have a formal speaker, contact us.