Sen. Dick Durbin: Amend S.4990 via Unchained At Last
Nationwide via Zonta International and UNICEF USA
California via Global Citizen
Washington, D.C. via Unchained At Last
Trapped. Silenced. That’s what life is like every day for those in the U.S. who are in or facing forced marriages.
So what better way to raise awareness about forced and child marriage than by gathering a crowd of protesters dressed in bridal gowns and veils, with their arms chained and mouths taped, to sing and chant and wave signs demanding an end to these human rights abuses?
That’s the idea behind the Chain-In, a unique form of peaceful but powerful protest that Unchained introduced in 2015.
Tell your friends to do all of the above, too!
Do you want to make sure legislators get the message that they need to end child marriage? Unchained will supply a printable postcard template and sample messages, plus a list of legislators to target. Invite everyone you know to join – in your house or via video chat. Let Unchained know how many postcards you mailed (and how much fun you had).
Unchained and Equality Now have convened a National Coalition to End Child Marriage in the United States that brings together organizations and individuals working toward passage of federal legislation to help end child marriage in the U.S.
The mission of the Coalition is to end marriage below the age of 18 within the United States and to repeal loopholes and exceptions that may promote child marriage. The Coalition pushes for federal policy and legal reform to help end child marriage, or marriage before age 18, in the United States.
If you are a child marriage survivor or part of a civil society organization with a presence in the U.S. that works on ending child marriage, join the Coalition.
In each state where Unchained actively promotes legislation to end child marriage, it convenes a statewide coalition of local, state, national and international organizations and survivors of child marriage who advocate together for passage of the legislation.
Coalition members participate at varying levels, according to their capacity, with no obligation to contribute more than their resources allow.
Unchained invites every coalition member to join regular videoconferences about the status of the legislation; strategize about how to move the legislation forward; and participate in various advocacy efforts including: submitting memos of support to the legislature; testifying before legislative committees; meeting, calling, emailing and tweeting at legislators; and taking part in other opportunities to raise awareness of child marriage and build grassroots support for ending it.
Additionally, members agree to be included in the list of coalition members in memos of support and other materials.
Coalitions typically include civil society organizations working to combat domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking; groups that promote human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, LGBTQ rights and/or gender equality; religious organizations and clergy members; university groups and clubs, as well as individual professors; activists and advocates; and survivors of child marriage.
To join a coalition to end child marriage in your state or territory, submit this form.
