Glittery march for consent makes statement on Auckland’s streets
Cries of “yes means yes” and “no means no” were heard loud and clear yesterday in central Auckland as a part of the glittery march for consent.
Bare-chested men and women, adorned with glitter, took to the streets in a show of solidarity with Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller.
Anello-Kitzmiller first made headlines when a video of her being assaulted at Rhythm and Vines went viral on Facebook.
In the video, Anello-Kitzmiller was walking through the music festival when a man walked up from behind her and grabbed her chest — which had been painted at a stall.
She used the notoriety of the assault to organise “a glittery march for consent” to highlight issues of consent, sexual abuse and harassment.
The march rallied in Victoria Park, where Anello-Kitzmiller read a poem, before walking to Britomart.
Anello-Kitzmiller said she was not speaking to media because she had already said what she needed to say. Boyfriend Max Ashworth said he was “so proud of Madeline for standing up for what’s right no matter what”.
The people who had organised the event put their own money towards it and all proceeds from the event would go to charity. The movement was for everyone, he said.
Auckland resident Elise Leslie was one of about 40 people on the march.
She said the video was “not shocking” in today’s environment but it was important for people to understand not wearing clothes was not an invitation to be touched. As a feminist, she felt it was important to show up and lend her support.
“It’s really important to stand up for other women in our community and look after each other,” she said.
Gabrielle Martell-Turner, who spoke after the march, said it had taken years of counselling to get to the point where she felt she could speak up. “It feels like the right time.”
It’s really important to stand up for other women in our community. Elise Leslie, marcher