On February 14, 2013, 1 billion will rise. No matter where you are in the world, there will probably be a rising near you. With the addition of Laos, Liberia, Monaco and Palestine, the One Billion Rising campaign to stop violence against women and girls is now up to 197 countries and territories taking part in what organizers say will be the largest global day of action the world has ever seen. Starting in Samoa, the sun will rise on February 14, kicking off forty-eight hours worldwide of striking, dancing and rising. To send labor supporters into their final week of preparing for One Billion Rising, United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard recorded this special video message.

Among the reasons Gerard lists for rising are: “To stop the violence… To end the governmental initiatives that restrict women’s rights… Because pregnancy from rape is not something God intended… In opposition to redefining how violence against women is prosecuted.”

“I’m rising to stop workplace discrimination…for gender equality…I'm rising because I will not accept violence against our mothers sisters daughters…I'm rising because it’s a new time and a new way of being.”

Go Leo!