Unchained At Last urges you to join the upcoming Chain-In to protest child marriage and forced marriage in New Jersey and across the US.
Be among the survivors, activists and supporters who will stand outside Newark Penn Station wearing bridal gowns and veils, with arms chained and mouths taped, to send a powerful message to legislators: Pass A3091, the bill to end child marriage in New Jersey.
Click here to read about Unchained’s past Chain-Ins.
Unchained is proud and grateful that the survivors, activists and allies who address the crowd at the the Chain-In will include:
- N.Y. Assembly Member Amy Paulin
- N.Y. Council Member Andrew Cohen
- Amanda Parker, AHA Foundation
- Fraidy Reiss, Unchained At Last
- Jeanne Smoot, Tahirih Justice Center
- Naila Amin, activist and survivor of forced child marriage
Unchained also is proud and grateful that Girls Not Brides has granted permission for protesters at the Chain-In to sing “We Are Girls, Not Brides,” a haunting song written by girls in Zambia. Click on the image below to watch the girls in Zambia perform “We Are Girls, Not Brides.”
HUMAN-RIGHTS ABUSES
Child marriage – or marriage before age 18 – is a human-rights abuse that undermines girls’ health, education and economic opportunities and increases their risk of experiencing violence. Often, too, child marriage is forced marriage: Children can easily be forced into or trapped within a marriage, because they cannot easily access legal and other resources.
Yet child marriage is legal in all 50 U.S. states, and tens of thousands of children were married in the U.S. in the last decade. In New York alone, more than 3,850 children as young as 14 were married between 2000 and 2010.
And forced marriage happens to adults too, but the US has long lagged behind other countries in acknowledging and responding to this human rights abuse.
The solution? Let’s start by reserving marriage, a serious legal contract, for those who have reached the age of majority. Let’s Chain-In to grab the attention of policymakers and the public, and make sure lawmakers pass legislation to end child marriage.
CHAIN-IN FAQs
Q: I don’t have a bridal gown and veil. What should I do?
A: No problem. Wear a white top, and indicate on your registration form that you want Unchained to provide you with a free veil and a “skirt” you can wear over your own clothing (and probably under your coat, assuming the weather will be cold).
Note: You are encouraged to wear a gown and veil regardless of your gender identity.
Q: I prefer not to wear bridal clothing and/or not to chain my arms or tape my mouth. May I still join the Chain-In?
A: Absolutely!
Q: Should I bring my own chains and tape?
A: No, do not bring your own chains and tape. Unchained will provide free plastic chains and tape that the Unchained team has found to be comfortable even on sensitive skin.
Q: Is this legal?
A: Yes, the Chain-In is completely legitimate. Unchained has the backing of the First Amendment, as well as approval from the New York Police Department.
Q: How much does it cost to join the Chain-In?
A: Nothing. Joining the Chain-In is free – but please consider donating to Unchained to help offset the cost of the Chain-In and to help women and girls across the US who are fleeing forced marriages.
Q: Where is the exact Chain-In location?
A: The Chain-In will be held outside Newark Penn Station, on Market Street. From inside the train station, exit toward Market Street Buses, between Track 4 and Track 5.
Q: What time does the Chain-In begin and end?
A: Please arrive at 11:30 a.m. to sign in and get into Chain-In attire. The actual Chain-In will begin at 12 p.m. and end by 1 p.m.
Q: Will the Chain-In proceed in case of bad weather?
A: The protest will proceed unless officials declare a state of emergency.
Q: How else can I help end child and forced marriage?
A: Whether or not you can join the Chain-In, please take these steps:
- Spread the word about the Chain-In by emailing your friends and posting about it on social media using the hashtags #ChainIn and #EndChildMarriage.
- Urge key lawmakers to pass legislation to end child marriage. It’s easy to do: Just submit these pre-filled emails.
- Support Unchained financially. Even a small donation makes a huge difference to a woman or a girl fleeing a forced marriage.
- Stay updated on news about forced marriage in the U.S. Join the Unchained mailing list, “like” Unchained on Facebook, and follow Unchained on Twitter.
- Volunteer your time to help a woman or a girl who is facing a forced marriage. Unchained relies on the kindness of pro bono attorneys, psychotherapists and others. Details here.