Jane Fonda to Participate in Weho V-Day Event

Valentine's Day in Southern California on Thursday will feature events tied to the One Billion Rising campaign—an effort to get 1 billion people around the world to walk out of their jobs, schools, offices and homes, dance, rise up and demand an end to violence against girls and women.

The campaign, described by its backers as a global strike, is being conducted by the activist movement V-Day—the V stands for victory, valentine and vagina—on its 15th anniversary. The goal of having 1 billion people involved stems from the statistic that one of three women will experience violence in her lifetime, meaning 1 billion women will be struck by violence.

Los Angeles County One Billion Rising events include:

-- A program at Sal Guarriello Memorial Park at Santa Monica Boulevard and Holloway Drive in West Hollywood, beginning at 10 a.m. Speakers will include actress Jane Fonda, former West Hollywood Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath and West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore Abbe Land.

Dancers from Flash Mob America will perform a dance choreographed by actress, dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen. Members of the public interested in joining the performance can learn the dance beginning at 9 a.m. at the park or online.

-- A panel discussion, "Dating Without Danger, Teen Dating Violence: Prevention and Intervention," will begin at 11:30 a.m. at National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles, 543 N. Fairfax Ave.

"The only way to prevent teen dating violence is for every teen, parent, teacher, neighbor and service provider to know what the warning signs to look for and how to intervene when a teen is in danger," said Ava Rose, NCJW/LA director of Women Helping Women, who will be one of the participants in the panel discussion. "Dating violence goes way beyond black eyes and bruises. It's about power and control and the only way to break the chain is to tighten the safety net of support for our young people."

-- A protest organized by Peace Over Violence, formerly the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women, against street harassment is planned for noon at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles.

-- Beverly Hills Mayor William Brien will preside over a short ceremony at Beverly Hills City Hall at 3 p.m. demonstrating the city's concern for millions of women around the world who are victims of violence.

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