Today marks Denim Day 2024, a gesture steeped in symbolism that calls upon individuals across Los Angeles and beyond to don denim in recognition of sexual assault survivors. The initiative, backed by the Women and Girls Initiative of Los Angeles County, amplifies the message that blaming victims has no place in society. In a statement released by Los Angeles County, supporters are encouraged to wear jeans to drive the point home, sharing their looks on social media to spread awareness.

In tandem with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Denim Day historically falls on the last Wednesday of April. Across Southern California, elected officials, survivors, and advocates come together in recognition of a legacy rooted in protest, marking the event's 25th anniversary. Stemming from a local Los Angeles movement in 1999, it gained traction following a controversial court ruling in Italy, where a rape conviction was overturned on the premise that tight jeans implied consent. This, detailed in a report by NBC Los Angeles, sparked global indignation and the birth of Denim Day.

The City of Pasadena has joined in the efforts, urging city officials and employees to wear denim. "Join us in recognizing Denim Day this Wednesday, April 24, by wearing denim and sharing the importance of this day of action," read a statement from the City as per NBC Los Angeles, putting the collective power of individual action at the forefront of change.

Patti Giggans, the founder of Denim Day and CEO of Peace Over Violence, was present at last year's City Hall Denim Day event. The organization, headquartered in Los Angeles and dedicated to preventing sexual and domestic violence, has been a driving force behind Denim Day's prominence, as noted by their NBC Los Angeles coverage. Today's participants who choose to wear jeans are making a statement, one that is seen not just as a personal stand, but as a part of a larger, collective call for awareness and breaking the silence of sexual assault.