Park Slope Residents Take To The Streets In Numbers To Send Message To Rapist
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Brooklyn residents are taking back their streets -- by force.
A string of high-profile attacks, including one captured by surveillance cameras, sent hundreds of people into the streets Wednesday night to fight back and send a message to the predators and police, reports CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez.
If there is power in numbers the more than 300 people who took to the streets of Park Slope sent a strong message. They will not tolerate violence in their neighborhood.
1010 WINS' Terry Sheridan reports: Voicing Their Frustrations
Podcast
"I think it's crucial that the other communities see the importance of coming out voicing, Let the voices be heard against sexual assault," said Antonia Clemente of The Healing Center.
The "take back our streets" march was organized by a grass roots group called "Safe Slope." Organizers wanted to take action after police say a man has raped one woman and sexually assaulted eight others in South Brooklyn since March.
"We're here for the victims and we can come together as a neighborhood to help empower our neighbors to take a role in their own safety," said Michael Crumshow of Safe Slope.
"To let the perpetrator or perpetrators of these acts know we are watching and we are going to look out for our neighbors," resident Crystal Flemming said.
"I hope they catch him soon before something really bad happens," one man said.
Women and their families and friends walked side by side, taking over Park Slope streets and then rallied together, sharing self-defense tips and vowing to protect each other.
"We're here because we all care about our name and care about one another," one woman told the crowd.
"It's unfortunate that we have to constantly look over our shoulders and it's important for everyone to be a global citizen and to really make sure that we create a world where woman shouldn't have to protect themselves from rape because men are taught not to rape." Mallory McMahon said.
Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below.
