Chicago SlutWalk Retracts ‘Zionist Symbols’ Ban
Image by Getty Images
After being condemned for promising to ban “Zionist symbols,” the Chicago SlutWalk is now saying that its early August event will be inclusive of all who want to fight sexism and sexual assault.
“We are not banning any symbols or any kind of ethnic or heritage flags,” organizer Red S. told Haaretz, after consulting with other people in charge of the march. “Those are welcome, everyone is welcome to express themselves as they see fit at SlutWalk.”
“We have some apologizing to do,” adding that the impetus for the “Zionist symbols” ban was a tweet from the SlutWalk’s social media team, which she said had not consulted others before sending out that post.
The Chicago SlutWalk had raised hackles for tweeting out plans to ban Zionist and Jewish iconography, including the Star of David, which it said it wanted to do in solidarity with the Chicago Dyke March, which expelled three Jewish marchers who were waving Star of David flags last month.
The Chicago event is one of many “slut walks” that occur around the world to advance feminist ideas of gender equality and consensual sex. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have been host to their own slut walks.
Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
