About 200 people gathered outside Seattle’s Henry M. Jackson Federal Building on Oct. 8 to protest sexual violence and demand stronger protections for survivors. Many wore teal or carried signs, and nearly all wore nametags reading “Jane Doe.” The rally, organized by Gender Equality Movement Seattle, joined a national day of action called by Women’s March. Organizers said the demonstration was prompted in part by a September lawsuit in which a woman, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that seven men raped her at a Cornell University fraternity in October 2024. The allegations have renewed debate about sexual assault and accountability; they have not been established in court. GEM co-founders Zoe Mason and Amanda organized the Seattle gathering with just over a week’s notice, promoting it with posters, social media and about 700 leaflets. Amanda, who gave only her first name, said the volume of daily protests can make it difficult to sustain turnout. The group also brought back protesters dressed as handmaids from Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a visual tactic GEM has used at demonstrations around Pike Place Market. The rally brought together people of different ages and backgrounds. Leanne, who withheld her last name, said she came seeking a place to express her anger and noted that many of her friends had experienced rape. A regular protester who goes by “Dave the Drummer” said he had found community through demonstrations, where he has played a red bucket drum. Among the speakers was Hannah Sabio-Howell, a candidate for the state Senate’s 43rd District. She challenged the expectation that potential victims bear responsibility for avoiding assault, saying responsibility belongs to those who commit predatory acts. Mason shared her own experience of sexual violence and told the crowd that survivors are not defined by their stories, but are united by them. One of the five demands highlighted by organizers was stronger federal protection for survivors, including restoring enforcement of Title IX, the law barring sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. Advocates at the rally criticized the Trump administration’s use of the law, saying it has targeted transgender students rather than adequately protecting survivors. The demands also included passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing equal rights regardless of sex. Although 38 states have ratified it, Congress and the U.S. archivist have not formally recognized it. Rally speaker Meredith Ruff questioned how people could expect government protection while the amendment remained unrecognized. The demonstration came as Washington organizations that serve crime victims faced a steep decline in federal support: funding fell 76% from 2018 to 2024, according to figures cited by advocates. Organizers framed the rally as a call for accountability and services, as well as a place for survivors and supporters to gather.