Tuesday, October 30th, Youth Together held a press conference and students, teachers, parents, community based organizations, and public officials came out to support the Richmond High School student who was the recent victim of a brutal sexual assault. The community came together to address their sorrow, support, and love for their fellow classmate, student, and friend. Richmond High School assured the community that they will continue to heal and build solidarity amongst the students, faculty, and parents to continue the hard work of creating a safe, positive, and loving educational environment. Furthermore, students expressed their hurt from local and national media describing students as animals.
“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t care,” sophomore Andre Taylor expressed to the crowd. Senior Norma Bautista expressed her disdain of the press’ coverage by stating, “They’re great students here wanting to change things for the better, get that straight.”
Speakers also addressed the national issue of violence against women. “Every nine seconds a woman is sexually assaulted in this country,” site organizer Nadeen Elshorafa told media. Adding, “We must address this issue as a nation, it goes beyond Richmond’s borders.”
Students have organized a healing event next Tuesday at Richmond High.
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/7338025[/vimeo]
To support the family, send donations to:
Richmond High Jane Doe, account number 041-30-1188, Mechanics Bank, 3170 Hilltop Mall Road, Richmond, CA 94806.
The family of the victim will be setting up an account through Mechanics Bank. We will post information as soon as possible.
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November 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 pm
[...] I think of the young woman in Richmond who was attacked, it is hard for me to describe my feelings. Pain. Agony. Sadness. [...]