Crowds gathered to watch a group of UNA students, faculty and supporters in a flash mob performance in the GUC Atrium Feb. 14 during lunch hour.

The performance, organized by the Center for Women’s Studies, UNA students and Rape Response, is a part of the One Billion Rising global movement.

“One Billion Rising is the brainchild of Eve Ensler, who’s popular for doing ‘The Vagina Monologues,’” said Emily Kelley, coordinator for Women’s Studies at UNA. “There’s a statistic that one in three women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. Based on the population of this planet, that roughly relates to 1 billion, hence the title One Billion Rising.”

The message of rising against violence toward women is very important at the Center for Women’s Studies, Kelley said. Rape Response and the Center for Women’s Studies cooperated in planning a flash mob to draw attention.

“The reason I wanted to do (the flash mob) is Eve Ensler’s organization called V-Day, who do an event every Valentine’s Day to raise awareness about the abuse of women,” said Kassie Stanford, Victim Services Assistant of Rape Response. “This year it was a call to dance. I’m not any good at it, but I figured it would be a fun way to get involved.”

Stanford is responsible for bringing the One Billion Rising event to UNA while the dance used in the flash mob was partially choreographed by Olivia Marlow, a freshman at UNA, Kelley said.

“Kassie (Stanford) emailed all of the dance teachers in the SRC, asking if we wanted to be a part of the One Billion Rising,” Marlow said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity, so I told her that I wanted to start a flash mob.”

Marlow said she learned the dance on One Billion Rising’s website and then simplified it. Participants in the flash mob would attend Marlow’s class to learn a new step each week, with an instructive video being recorded by attendees of the class.

“I think now that people have seen what this is capable of doing and that the flash mob is really fun, I definitely want to do it again,” she said. “I just feel like since I’ve moved to Florence, there have been so many attacks on people. It’s such a big cause that I do want to raise     awareness about it.”

Representatives for One Billion Rising remained in the GUC after the performance to answer questions.

“I thought it was really good and impactful,” said Whitney Johnson, a junior. “Everyone over here was looking and I want to see what it’s about.”

Phillip Blevins, a sophomore, said the flash mob took him by surprise, but he understood its purpose after talking to people who knew what was going on.

Stanford said students can log on to www.onebillionrising.org or get on YouTube to watch other dances across the world.

“It’s an incredible way to organize so many people that are passionate about the same thing on a global scale,” Stanford said. “To come together on one day and to support all the women who’ve been victimized in our lifetime really says a lot. I’m just honored to be a part of it, honestly.”

Stanford and Kelley said they hope students will research the topic for themselves. They also wish to reach out to students on campus who are in need of support, Stanford said.