Students across campus balanced mattresses on their heads and held pillows, pillows pets, and signs under their arms in an effort to bring awareness to sexual assault on college campuses on Wednesday. Over fifty SLU students, professors, and staff marched quietly from Dana Dining Hall and through ODY, after which they broke into the chant, “Yes means yes. No means no.”
“Carry That Weight,” is a protest piece by Columbia University student Emma Sulkowicz, who is carrying her mattress around Columbia until her accused rapist is removed from the university. Inspired by her actions, SLU students carried their own weight in the form of pillows and mattresses across campus throughout the day. The protest aimed to bring awareness to rape culture on college campuses, both at SLU and across the country. In fact, SLU students were the first to propose that “Carry That Weight” become a national protest and coordinated with Columbia University, as well as Clarkson, SUNY Canton, SUNY Potsdam, and Hamilton. Over the last 2 months, many schools have held their own protests.
“It’s important to raise awareness about rape and domestic violence and provide a safer space for all student on all campuses,” said Professor Alison Melnick, assistant professor of Religious Studies. Her sentiment echoed many students desire to bring awareness to the issue on a national level.
“Sexual assault and rape culture have become an epidemic on college campuses. I want to see more dialogue, and the Mattress March is not the solution, but it’s the first step,” said Thomas Matt ’15, who initially proposed the protest to the Advocates and other student groups. He said that the protest was equally aimed at the administration and the student body to change rape culture. Matt Thinks that all incoming freshmen should have mandatory consent training.
Cat Bennett ’16 said that the protest was not about expressing anger at perpetrators, but about supporting survivors and giving them a voice. She said that the Take Back the Night event on Tuesday made her realize the importance of giving survivors a chance to speak out.
“Nobody should have to be a victim,” said Gabe Warner ’18, one of the five male participants of the march. Gian-Carlo Filippi ’16 hopes for more male involvement and for men to recognize that sexual assault affects them too. “I hope that if there’s more males [participating], then maybe more males will be proactive also,” Filippi added.
Angelica Soto, Advocates advisor, said, “One of the aspects I really appreciate about ‘Carry That Weight’ is the visual representation of standing in solidarity with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.” Solidarity takes on a new meaning when you attach action to it, she added.
Advocates co-presidentKaty Litka ‘15 gave a speech to the crowd of protestors in front of the new quad and New Hall, at the end of the march. “I feel good about graduating knowing that there are people who are here who care about this problem,” Litka said.
The “Carry That Weight” protest was sponsored by the Advocates as part of Purple Week, the Sexual & Domestic Violence Prevention Week.