Dear Concerned Community Member:

Please join Pennsylvania National Organization for Women (PA NOW) and Philadelphia NOW for a rally to show support for the survivor of the horrific sexual assault on SEPTA on October 13, 2021. We have organized this rally to demand accountability and transparency from SEPTA, law enforcement, elected officials, administrations-state, local, and federal, regarding measures being undertaken to address safety on public transit, at stations, and all public spaces. 

Date of Rallies: Saturday, October 30th (Speakers being confirmed) 

1:00 PM: Rally at City Hall, Under the steps of Dilworth Plaza

1:25 PM: Solidarity Ride on the Market Street El to 69^th Street Terminal

1:45 PM: Rally at 69th St Terminal, Grand Hall (Speakers being confirmed)

PA NOW and all its chapters are horrified by the increase in sexual violence against riders of SEPTA.  On Wednesday evening, October 13, 2021, a woman riding on SEPTA’s Market El westbound to 69th Street in Upper Darby was brutally assaulted & raped by a man who has been apprehended by the authorities in Upper Darby. She was attacked in view of the SEPTA cameras and other passengers. An off-duty SEPTA employee who got on the train while the attack was underway called the emergency number for SEPTA Transit Police. No other calls by anyone were placed to Philly 911 or Upper Darby 911. The following week three separate incidents of women being assaulted on SEPTA vehicles and stations in Philadelphia and Upper Darby. 

We are outraged that in the aftermath of this horrific attack, there have been no expressions of sympathy and support extended to the survivor. No solidarity was expressed with the survivor of this incident and survivors of so many other sexual assaults; no action plan was put forth to address violence in our public spaces and public transit. 

NOW was founded in 1966 with the purpose of advocating for women’s rights. NOW’s 6 core missions include ending violence against women. Safety has become a concern for transit workers and riders. We require training for our communities to be proactive bystanders to stop the violence.  We demand a collective & coordinated response from SEPTA, law enforcement, elected officials, administrations at the state, local, and federal levels as follows:

1. Immediately institute live monitoring of cameras on public transport.
2. Increase SEPTA security measures including use of trained social services personnel at stations/trains/buses.
3. Enhance public engagement of the See Something Say Something Campaign
4. Inform all passengers of the SEPTA App to report violence, the emergency call button on trains and other tools to safely engage as a bystander.
5. Work with community partners across PA to address local problems so they don’t spill onto platforms and trains/buses.
6. Elaborate budgets allocated to public safety. 
7. Publish available Stats/data on violence on SEPTA and stations.
8. Investigation into feasibility of a Bystander Law in PA. 

Many thanks,

Nina Ahmad, Ph.D.
Interim President of PA NOW

Vanessa Fields
President of Philadelphia NOW