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The rally hopes to increase both men’s and women’s awareness of domestic and sexual violence, violence against children, and to promote a safer community, according to the Co-Chair of Hamline’s chapter of Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) Mollie Jones.

MPIRG, a non-profit nonpartisan organization, supports issues related to the environment, consumers and social and economic rights in Minnesota. PIRG groups from many different states organize and promote TBTN rallies around the country.

“People are marching in the streets. There are signs and banners and people come from all over the state to take part,” said Jones.

“My first experience was certainly empowering, being with a large group igniting with a cause,” said President of the Hamline’s Women’s Resource Center Emily Erickson.

Although the origins of TBTN are not certain, Erickson said it has grown substantially since 1978, when a San Francisco rally marked its first appearance in the United States as a grassroots event attended by women adversely affected by pornography.

“Sufferers of violence will be there to share their story of how they fell into it and how they overcame it,” said Jones.

When TBTN began, it was mostly a women’s movement against sexual violence. Through the years, the number of men in attendance has risen and other issues have since joined.

“Sexual violence is an issue that affects so many men and women, so more people should be there,” said Erickson. “It is a valuable experience for everyone.

Erickson went on to explain that, while valuable, the event can be a little intimidating for some.

“Women face the thought of sexual violence daily. TBTN makes it conscious for men, and I think that’s sometimes uncomfortable for them. It makes them confront their gender and their power. They certainly have a stake and play a pivotal part in ending sexual violence,” said Erickson.

The event will begin with a rally at 6 p.m., followed by a march at 7 p.m. The Goddamn Doo Wop Band will be performing at 8:30 p.m., and the speakers, including Rebecca Waggoner Kloed from Outfront Minnesota, Minnesota Representative for the 61A region Karen Clark, and others, will begin at 9.

A free bus will pick students up from the Bishop at 5:15 p.m. and bring them back at the end of the night. Everyone is welcome.