Lots of people have been feeling uneasy,even outright scared, in recent weeks, fearing both for their public rights and their personal safety. Filmmaker and actress Brie Larson has found one way to take action. She has helped curate an event at the non-profit Junior High art gallery and venue in Hollywood, supporting positive organizations with funds raised by selling artist-designed cans of pepper spray—and the artists in question are a list of celebrities from across the film, music and art worlds.
Pepper spray cans decorated by Mark Ronson, Kimya Dawson, Jenny Lewis, Alex Greenwald, Kate Berlant, Tuesday Bassen, Petra Collins and many others, including Larson herself, will be up for sale in a silent auction from 1:30 to 3pm on December 3. The money raised will be distributed between the ACLU and Project Callisto, a non-profit collaborative of engineers and activists who are working to develop technology solutions to help sexual assault survivors.
In addition to the silent auction, there will be free self-defense classes taught by Patricia Realini. Realini is a double-black belt in Tae Kwon Do and will lead people, particularly those from marginalized or vulnerable populations, through the basics. If you feel you would benefit from the workshops, held at noon and 3pm, be sure to arrive early as the classes are expected to fill quickly.
The silent and self-defense class benefit for ACLU and Project Callisto takes place at Junior High, 5656 Hollywood Blvd, on Saturday, December 3. The silent auction is from 1:30 to 3pm and the self defense classes start at noon and 3pm. Admission is free and open to all ages, though only those over age 16 will be able to purchase pepper spray cans.
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