Flash mob invades Geneva’s Ecumenical Centre

A flash mob erupted today in the cafeteria of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. At 12:30 people scattered throughout the lunch crowd suddenly left their tables and broke into dance.

Twenty dancers, wearing bright pink and purple, performed to a song condemning violence against women. The lyrics of Break the Chain written by Tena Clark and Tim Heintz call attention to the fact that one billion of the world’s three billion women and girls will be raped or attacked in their lifetime. The song ends with a stirring call for people to rise up and stop the violence.

Similar dance events are being held today in countries from Australia to Lebanon as part of the One Billion Rising campaign created by V-Day, a global activist movement that promotes creative events to increase awareness about violence against women and to re-energize anti-violence organizations.

The event at the Ecumenical Centre, which is home to global church organizations and non-governmental organizations, was organized by the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).

Dora Arce-Valentín who heads WCRC’s Gender Justice Programme explains that the intent was to raise awareness of the urgent need for men and women to work together to change attitudes that contribute to rape, abuse and assault of women and girls.

“Unleashing a flash mob in the cafeteria creates excitement and catches attention,” says the Cuban pastor. “It’s a great way to raise awareness of this urgent and dramatic situation.”

Flash mobs erupt with no warning in public places. Performers emerge suddenly from a crowd to sing or dance then disappear as soon as the performance ends.

Aiko Sumichan, a youth intern from Indonesia, gathered dancers from among organizations including the World YWCA, World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, Globethic.net, COHRED and World Student Christian Federation.

“Taking over the cafeteria and filling it with the sounds of protest and power is a wonderful way of giving momentum to the movement to stop the violence,” Sumichan says. “And besides it was a lot of fun. People tell me there’s never been anything like this here before.”

WCRC has a history of supporting the rights of women and girls. Plans in the coming year include a campaign to encourage its member churches to participate in the Orange Campaign that asks people to wear orange on the 25th of each month as a reminder of the need to keep working to prevent violence against women. A flyer printed on orange paper distributed by the flash mob at the Ecumenical Centre offers a biblical reading, questions for reflection and a prayer.

“We will be producing more resources such as these for churches in future,” Arce-Valentín promises. “Churches can help stop the violence. WCRC wants to be sure our members are motivated and empowered to do that.”