City Council Members and Advocates Join in Classes to Learn How to Fight Back<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 Today, a commitment to engage women in self-defense courses was fulfilled as more than 150 women joined City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn in the first of two trainings. Council Members Gale Brewer, Jessica Lappin and Melissa Mark-Viverito and advocates joined Speaker Quinn.<\/p>\n
Last month, following the heinous sexual assaults against women in Central Park and Hudson River Park, Speaker Quinn announced free self-defense classes would be held in Central Park and downtown Manhattan. In her announcement, Speaker Quinn said, \u201cThese free self-defense classes will empower New Yorkers with the information they need to stay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The course, led by instructors for Anti-Violence Education, took place at the North Meadow Recreation Center in Central Park Mid-Park at 97th Street. With a robust showing of over 150 attendees, the training empowered the enthusiastic crowd. The event was a forceful reminder of what is possible when people come together as a community with shared concerns and goals.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, while arming ourselves with the tools needed to stay safe, we are also sending the message that these deeply troubling attacks have no place in our city,\u201d said Speaker Quinn. \u201cThe turnout today is proof that New Yorkers will not tolerate attacks against fellow New Yorkers. Together, we continue our work to prevent violence so that each of us may walk in the park or down the street without fear.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the recent assaults in local parks have shown, women continue to be targeted by sexual predators in New York. Today\u2019s class is an opportunity to raise awareness about these abhorrent violent acts, and teach women the self-defense skills to fend off would-be attackers,\u201d said Council Member Gale A. Brewer.<\/p>\n
Council Member Jessica Lappin said, \u201cThis is a great opportunity for women to gain self-defense skills and empower themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the recent spate of attacks in our parks, we are working to make sure women are ready to defend themselves,\u201d said Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito. \u201cWe hope these women will never be put in a position where they have to use these techniques, but being prepared to do so is critical. I look forward to offering more of these workshops in my district for women of all ages, but particularly our seniors.\u201d<\/p>\n
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City Council Members and Advocates Join in Classes to Learn How to Fight Back<\/p>\n
New York, NY \u2013 Today, a commitment to engage women in self-defense courses was fulfilled as more than 150 women joined City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn in the first of two trainings. Council Members Gale Brewer, Jessica Lappin and Melissa Mark-Viverito and advocates joined Speaker Quinn.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n