On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police gave a speech in which he stated: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.”

This comment is alarming coming from an individual in a place authority as it discourages victims/ survivors to come forward for support. It is important to hold those in positions of power, not just the police, accountable for the dangerous ideas they reflect into the community. We must also recognize that these notions are held by many in our society. This was one individual speaking the minds of many folks in our communities. This is the problem. We live in a society that believes that women are responsible for not getting raped. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; by simply using a derogatory term to rationalize inexcusable behaviour it creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim/survivor.

Story and photos: SlutWalk Los Angeles Storms West Hollywood California | | Part Two | | Part Three by Robert Stuart Lowden

More coverage and photos: Slutwalk 2011 [pt 1] | | Slutwalk 2011 [pt 2] | | Slutwalk 2011 [pt 3] | | Slutwalk 2011 [pt 4] | | Slutwalk 2011 [pt 5] by SCHA-LA

Discussion/interviews on KPFK's Hear in the City, May 31, 2011

Video from SlutWalk Riverside: Perspectives on Slutwalk from Riverside CA organizers by NouvelleMaude | | Slutwalk Riverside by edin2

From San Diego: Over 500 Turn Out for San Diego Slut Walk by Mark Gabrish Conlan/Zenger's Newsmagazine

Mothers & other caregivers speak out against child welfare injustices, budget cuts, criminalization and war. Together they planned joint actions to demand that child “protection”, welfare and other government policies end the trashing of mothers and recognize the value of their caregiving work.

Story and photos: Community Dialogues in four US Cities: Mothers and Other Caregivers Speak Out by Global Women's Strike

On Saturday, March 13, about 150 mothers, grandmothers, women who are not mothers, children, and men, came out for the Mothers March and Speak Out in Los Angeles. This was an International Women’s Day event called by the Global Women’s Strike and Women of Color/GWS.

Led by women and the Aztec Dancers, they marched down Wilshire Blvd from Shatto Place to speak out in front of the Department of Children and Family Services and in MacArthur Park. Mothers in a number of countries took part in the Mothers March to highlight all the work mothers contribute to society and to demand justice. In cities, towns and villages, mothers demanded our entitlements in Guyana, Haiti, India, Mexico, Peru, Turkey, UK, USA (Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco), and Venezuela.

Story/pictures: Mothers March & Speak Out by Ruth Todasco | Indymedia.Org Roundup

LOS ANGELES, October 3, 2009 - Crowds from both sides of the abortion rights debate met and exchanged words (and an elbow or two) outside the Family Planning Clinic on N. Westmoreland in Los Angeles on Saturday. Pro-Choice volunteers made a line around the entrance, creating what organizer, Katie, called a “safe zone” for would-be patients at the clinic. “The goal is to protect the clinic,” one Pro-Choice volunteer said, “we’re trying to keep it open, and the other side is trying to shut it down.”

The conflict comes from a new push by a group called 40 Days For Life Los Angeles (FDFL), who are a religious group that has called for a presence at family planning clinics around the country. They have been met in Los Angeles by Pro-Choice activists, and both sides of the conflict admit it hasn’t been easy.

Full Story: Pro-choice and Pro-Life Groups Clash at Family Planning Clinic; Police Intervene by Brian Elerding, photos by Robert Stuart Lowden

LOS ANGELES, November 4, 2006 – Students at Los Angeles City College are demanding action against sheriff deputies over remarks they allegedly made to two female students during the investigation of a reported rape. Outraged students marched to the local sheriff’s station for an explanation and to file a complaint. Unsatisfied with the response from the sheriff’s department students are planning a demonstration this coming Monday. From the Newswire: Sheriff's Detective at LACC: people who report rape were "just drunk" night before by Julia Wallace