Immediate Press Release – Peaceful Gathering Jan 9
Jan 9 – Press Release – WAWG.pdf (252 KB)
The Woman Abuse Working Group (WAWG) is organizing a peaceful gathering to take place outside Hamilton Place before Bill Cosby’s performance on January 9.
While we question the support of alleged rapists, we are especially concerned about the message this sends to survivors of abuse and violence. We do not want this event to be about Mr. Cosby, we want this gathering to send a strong message to everyone in our community that we believe and stand by survivors.
WAWG believes violence against women in its many forms stems from a global and cultural context of discrimination against women and is supported by the economic, social and political structures of society. This event is an opportunity to open a dialogue in our community about violence against women in the entertainment industry. Many other celebrities have also been accused and yet most continue in their roles with little or no repercussions.
We would like to emphasize that at the gathering we will not tolerate any behaviour that is oppressive. We also ask that those attending the gathering do not heckle those going in. We hope this is an opportunity for everyone in our community to support all victims of violence.
We will gather from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m at the corner of Main & Summers Lane in front of Hamilton Place.
For media inquiries or interview requests please contact:
Lenore Lukasik-Foss
Member of the Action Committee
Director at SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre)
905 525 4573
Nicky Bomberry
Chair of the Action Committee of WAWG
Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Coordinator for
the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
905 548 9593
For any other questions or concerns, please visit us at our website (wawg.ca) and contact us via the online form.
About the event -please see the top photo
Response – Press Release one
WAWG -Press Release- Cosby.pdf (248 KB)
The Woman Abuse Working Group (WAWG) calls on the community to speak out against Bill Cosby’s upcoming performance in Hamilton on January 9 at Hamilton Place.
WAWG is deeply concerned that Mr. Cosby’s performance is proceeding in our community, despite the numerous, public allegations of sexual violence from over 20 women (to date).
We question the support of alleged rapists and are especially concerned about the message this sends to survivors of abuse and violence – that celebrity and entertainment are more important than taking a strong stand on violence against women.
We have contacted Global Spectrum and have been told that for contractual issues they cannot cancel the date. While we understand this, it appears that other communities have been able to cancel performances (e.g. Las Vegas, New York, Iowa, Arizona, South Carolina, and Illinois).
We therefore ask the public to contact Global Spectrum at (905) 546 3050 and/or email Scott Warren, General Manager for Hamilton at [email protected] and Frank Russo, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Global Spectrum, at [email protected]. Let them know that you believe that the well being of everyone of our community is more important than a contract – ask them to cancel the show.
If the event is not cancelled, WAWG will proceed to organize a peaceful gathering outside the venue on January 9. We would like to emphasize that at the gathering we will not tolerate any behavior that is oppressive, rather we hope this is an opportunity for everyone to support all victims of violence.
WAWG is a coalition of over 20 community agencies in Hamilton, working to eradicate violence against women (and their children).
For media inquiries or interview requests please contact:
Lenore Lukasik-Foss
Member of the Action Committee
Director at SACHA
(Sexual Assault Centre)
905 525 4573
Nicky Bomberry
Chair of the Action Committee of WAWG
Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Coordinator for
the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
905 548 9593
For any other questions or concerns, please visit contact us via the online form.