Activists are demanding justice for a woman whose apparent sexual assault was live-streamed on social media over the weekend. A Missouri woman was celebrating at the Opera nightclub in Atlanta on Saturday when a man she was dancing with allegedly raped her. As documented by video footage that she took herself, the woman’s enjoyment of the music is quickly replaced by fervent calls for help—calls which appear to have gone unanswered by those around her.
Note: The original video has been taken down, but has also unfortunately and unconscionably been reposted to the internet by others. While it’s possible to find this troubling footage, Daily Kos respects survivors and will NOT be providing readers with a path to it; furthermore, we strongly encourage you not to reward those heinous enough to repost it by seeking out this video yourself. There is absolutely no justification for actively choosing to watch a sexual assault.
Atlanta police report that they received multiple 911 calls early Sunday morning, from Facebook users who saw the brutal video and reported that they’d seen a black woman being raped on the popular social media platform. Authorities went to the nightclub, but could not find the woman, who maintains that her drink was drugged. The police soon realized the incident had occurred at least an hour before.
Atlanta police announced on Monday that they’ve identified and been in contact with the alleged rapist, but no arrests have been made as of this writing, and his name has not yet been released. Since the incident, the survivor has returned to her home city of St. Louis, and two more women have come forward with sexual allegations against the man in the video.
All week, protestors have assembled outside the Opera nightclub to demand justice for the woman, who has retained prominent social justice attorney Chris Stewart. Stewart, who has previously fought for folks like the families of deceased police shooting victims Alton Sterling and Walter Scott, provided more harrowing details of the hellish attack.
Stewart said there is additional footage of that night that shows the suspect picking the victim up and carrying her into a back room.
“You hear the music die off and her screaming some more,” he said.
In an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the attorney also questioned the security protocols of the nightclub in the city’s Midtown district.
“How is somebody sexually assaulted in a club right in front of anyone? Security will kick you out if you’re too drunk,” he told the AJC in a phone interview Wednesday. “How did security not walk up to her and not check on her?”
Representatives for the Opera nightclub released a statement asserting that they’re cooperating with authorities. At least one DJ has canceled a scheduled Super Bowl weekend appearance at the popular club in the wake of the incident.
But back to the protests. The local response has been swift, with local DJs and club promoters meeting Monday to figure out how to make sure things like this don’t happen again. Groups comprised almost entirely of black women have been marching outside the club since Wednesday, reminding us all that black women matter—a fact that should be obvious, but, as most recently highlighted by R&B artist R. Kelly’s endless ability to face no consequences for sexual assault allegations, often needs reiteration.
“If we don’t stand out here for (the victim), then no one else will,” said Sabrina Peterson, who organized the (Wednesday) rally. The crowd drew roughly 30 people.
“We plan to be out here every day until (the suspect) is arrested,” she said.
As if having her sexual assault broadcast on the internet wasn’t bad enough, the woman has been brutally attacked by social media trolls, who are relying on that same old tired nonsense where rape apologists blame clothing choices, dance styles, and basically anyone but a rapist. The woman, through a video statement posted to social media Monday, and through her attorney, admits it’s been extremely hard on her. All the same, she recorded a second message for her supporters Wednesday, also reaching out to other victims of sexual violence.
“I just want to thank all of my supporters and everybody that’s standing behind me,” she said, her voice breaking up as she began to cry. “Come forward. Don’t be a victim of this. It’s not OK.”
Another protest was scheduled for Friday evening.
While the investigation continues, Stewart mused Wednesday that justice for his client seems inevitable, as the alternative is too dark to consider.
“If a woman can’t get support in a situation where she was raped on camera, then God help us,” Stewart said.
Indeed. That’s one truth even non-believers can embrace.