Mayor Barrett Encourages Milwaukeeans to Wear Denim on April 28

MILWAUKEE—Mayor Tom Barrett is calling on Milwaukee residents to wear denim on Wednesday, April 28 as a sign of support for local survivors of sexual assault. The effort is part of the 10th annual Denim Day Milwaukee.

“Every person in our community has the power to end sexual violence,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “I ask every individual, employer and organization to wear jeans tomorrow as a message of support for survivors. Milwaukee remains dedicated in our efforts to continue the conversation, raise awareness of this issue and involve all segments of our community in putting an end to sexual violence.”

Denim Day Milwaukee is part of an international awareness day that began after an Italian woman was raped by her driving instructor. The instructor was convicted, but the sentence was overturned after a court determined that because the victim wore tight jeans and may have helped remove them, the attack on her was consensual sex. The verdict motivated women in the Italian Parliament to wear jeans in solidarity with the victim. The movement has now spread into an international awareness day during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Denim Day Milwaukee continues to evolve and grow. This year, the City of Milwaukee has partnered with LGBTQ+ community leaders and members to spread awareness and promote positive change. Learn more about Denim Day Milwaukee at denimdaymke.org. 

Denim Day Milwaukee is coordinated and supported by a collaborative group of more than 20 partner organizations, including the City of Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, the City of Milwaukee Health Department Office of Violence Prevention and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.