Tens of Thousands Rally Nationwide Against Sexual Violence as Cornell, LSU Cases Fuel Outrage
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Oct 10
Tens of Thousands Rally Nationwide Against Sexual Violence as Cornell, LSU Cases Fuel Outrage
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Oct 10
Summary
Tens of thousands gathered Thursday at city halls and college campuses nationwide, demanding an end to sexual violence and justice for survivors after weeks of campus-focused anger.
Cornell and LSU became flashpoints after allegations that Jane Doe was drugged and gang-raped by seven Cornell students and that Kendall Francis was raped by an LSU football player, with protesters condemning how both cases were handled.
Women’s March, Feminist Generation and Me Too International also pressed for stronger Title IX protections, saying the Trump administration has steadily weakened safeguards for sexual misconduct victims and LGBTQ+ students.
The rallies tapped broader alarm over rape culture: the National Sexual Violence Resource Center says 81% of women and 43% of men in the US have experienced sexual harassment or assault.
Men joined the demonstrations as well, with participants urging peers to challenge misogyny, reject victim-blaming and back consent education as a prevention tool.