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.
Unchained is proud and grateful that the survivors, activists and allies who will address the crowd at the the Chain-In include:
- Amanda Parker, AHA Foundation
- Fraidy Reiss, Unchained At Last
- Helena Minchew, Girls Not Brides USA
- Jeanne Smoot, Tahirih Justice Center
- Naila Amin, activist and survivor of forced child marriage
- Rev. Sue Gillespie, Trinity Covenant Church (Livingston, NJ)
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 Jersey, nearly 3,500 children as young as 13 were married between 1995 and 2012.
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 New Jersey legislators’ attending and make sure they pass A3091, the pending bill that would 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 Unchained will provide a free veil and a “skirt” you can wear over your own clothing. (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, as well as free tape that is 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 a permit from the New Jersey Transit Police Department to hold a protest on Newark Penn Station property.
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 4:30 p.m. to sign in and get into Chain-In attire. The actual Chain-In will begin at 5 p.m. and end by 6 p.m.
Q: Will the Chain-In proceed in case of bad weather?
A: The Chain-In location is under an overpass, protected from the elements. The protest will proceed no matter what the weather brings.
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 #UnchainNJ and #PassA3091.
~ Urge key lawmakers to pass A3091, the bill currently pending in New Jersey to end child marriage, and similar bills in other states. 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.
ABOUT UNCHAINED AT LAST
Unchained is the only organization in the US dedicated to helping women and girls leave or avoid arranged/forced marriages and rebuild their lives. Unchained provides women and girls with free legal and social services and emotional support.
Unchained is also the only nonprofit in the US dedicated to promoting social and policy change to prevent forced marriage. Unchained raises awareness about forced marriage and advocates for relevant legislation.
CONTACT
Questions about the Chain-In? Email info@unchainedatlast.org or call (908) 481-HOPE.