Detroit's Hip Hop Community Raises Money for Backlogged Rape Kits

DETROIT - April 12, 2014 - PRLog -- In response to the 2014 Wayne County budget proposal to cut funding for rape kit processing and investigations, Detroit rapper, MAHOGANY JONES is bringing Denim Day to Detroit on Wednesday, April 23rd! Denim Day is a global movement to protest victim blaming and correct misconceptions surrounding sexual assault taking place the 4th Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (www.DenimDay.org) Denim Day originated in response to a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court which overturned a rape conviction because they felt the teenage victim must have helped her rapist remove her tight jeans, thereby implying consent.

In addition to raising awareness to end victim blaming, DENIM DAY DETROIT will focus on raising donations for The Sexual Assault Free Detroit Initiative to help fund processing Detroit’s 11,000 backlogged rape kits. It also seeks a PROMISE from Detroit’s Police Chief James Craig that sexual assault will never again be shelved in the city but prioritized and pursued by police.

Jones, a U.S. Music Ambassador, has partnered with The Foundation of the 5e Gallery, The Hip hop Caucus, and BombaRica Cultural and Performing Arts to initiate this movement. Realizing sexual assault is a heavy topic, DENIM DAY DETROIT will feature Music, Poetry, Talk show-style Discussions, Self Defense instruction, a Denim Photo Shoot and interactive activities designed to make people feel empowered and enthused about their involvement in ending  sexual assault in Detroit.

Jones recently released a CD compilation entitled PURE, Vol. 1 which celebrates women and addresses issues including sexual assault. She’s also behind PURE Magazine which provides resources for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in its March/April issue. Singers and poets from the CD and writers from the magazine  will participate in Denim Day Detroit as a form of Hip hop activism.

Latino cultural activist and educator, Consuela Lopez of BombaRica Cultural and Performing Arts has been a huge advocate of Denim Day Detroit and will host the event.

Denim Day Detroit is open to the public and donations of every size will be accepted on location and online. Information on the event is available at www.APuremovement.com or Denimdaydetroit.eventbrite.com.

For more information or media inquires please contact Jayne Smith, event organizer, at 248-919-8438 or by email at APureMovement@gmail.com.