Originally published on the Press-Republican website on June 24, 2014.
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Strides against sass
By SETH THOMAS and JOHN MASTRONARDO
PLATTSBURGH — Hollaback! Plattsburgh is raising money to fund its efforts to promote civility.
The group, which is focused on ending street harassment, held a fundraiser recently at the Koffee Kat Espresso Bar in downtown Plattsburgh.
Matt Hall, who helped coordinate the event, defines street harassment as any unwelcome interaction in a public space.
“It goes beyond making someone feel uncomfortable,” he said. “I see it more as dehumanizing actions; you end up treating a person like they’re less than an equal to you.”
Hollaback! began in New York City in 2005 as a means of ending street harassment. It has since become an international program with chapters in 26 countries.
The Plattsburgh affiliate was started in April.
“Being part of the community, you have a responsibility to make this a place that you’d want to live,” said Nick Dubay, who works with the Anti-Stigma Alliance of Champlain Valley.
“Hollaback! is part of that.”
The Plattsburgh affiliate’s website and smart-phone app offer victims of street harassment a chance to write about their experiences.
Other users can leave comments or click the “I’ve got your back!” button to support the victim.
Sarah Mundy, who works with Hollaback!, believes street harassment is a problem in Plattsburgh.
“I went for a walk today with some of my friends right before we came here, and we were verbally harassed twice within the span of 20 minutes,” she said.
Mundy thinks the website and app inform users that they’re not alone in experiencing unwanted attention and that what they encounter is “not a trivial thing.”
Paul Carson, a local singer/songwriter, played an hour of acoustic guitar music at the Koffee Kat.
The group raised more than $75 during the performance.
Hollaback! Plattsburgh, along with the Anti-Stigma Alliance of Champlain Valley, will be a part of First Weekends in downtown Plattsburgh throughout the summer.
Seth Thomas 