Denim Day Rally Planned For LA City Hall On Wednesday

LOS ANGELES, CA — A rally at Los Angeles City Hall on Wednesday will mark Denim Day, an annual campaign aimed at supporting survivors of sexual violence and challenging misconceptions about assault.

The event, organized by Peace Over Violence, is set for 9 a.m. on the South Lawn steps of City Hall, facing First Street. The gathering will include survivor speakers, resource booths, music and community-focused activities as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, according to organizers.

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Observed each year on the last Wednesday in April, Denim Day traces back to a court ruling in Italy in the 1990s that overturned a rape conviction, with judges citing the victim’s tight jeans as implying consent. The decision prompted widespread backlash, including protests by women in the Italian Parliament who wore denim in solidarity.

The movement was brought to Los Angeles in 1999, when Patti Giggans launched a local campaign through Peace Over Violence. It has since expanded into an international effort encouraging people to wear jeans as a visible statement against victim-blaming and to promote education and prevention.

A related event, a “Denim Run," is scheduled for Sunday at Ocean View Park in Santa Monica. The event will feature a 5K walk/run and a wellness festival focused on honoring survivors.

Opening ceremonies are planned for 9:15 a.m. and are expected to include remarks from honorary survivors and Caroline Torosis, the mayor of Santa Monica.