Chain-In Olympia, WA
Start: Thursday, January 18, 2024•12:00 PM
End: Thursday, January 18, 2024•12:45 PM
NOTE: Due to inclement weather, this Chain-In will instead be a "Silent Chain-In" inside the rotunda of the Legislative Building instead of on the outside steps.
Child marriage is an urgent problem in Washington. Dangerous legal loopholes allow parents to enter a child of ANY AGE into marriage without any input required from the child, and without any real legal recourse for a child who does not want to marry.
Some 5,048 minors as young as 13 were entered into marriage in Washington between 2000 and 2021. More than 80% were girls wed to adult men, and between 38 and 51 marriages occurred with a spousal age difference that met the definition of a sex crime.
Furthermore, child marriage creates a nightmarish legal trap that destroys nearly every aspect of an American girl's life. There's a reason the U.S. State Department has called marriage before 18 a "human rights abuse."
This calls for a protest.
We at Unchained At Last urge you to Chain-In with us in Olympia on January 18. We'll gather on the North Steps of the Washington State Capitol wearing bridal gowns and veils, with our arms chained and mouths taped, to protest forced and child marriage and urge legislators to pass SB5695/HB1455, the simple, commonsense bill that would end child marriage in Washington.
We provide the bridal gowns, veils and chains. All you need to do is register on this page - and join us to insist Washington legislators end child marriage!
- Rep. Monica Stonier, legislative champion
- Sen. Manka Dhingra, legislative champion
- Sen. Derek Stanford, legislative champion
- Stephanie Warren, survivor & advocate
- Sara Tasneem, child marriage advocate and survivor
- Kate Yang, child marriage advocate and survivor
- Katherine Cleland, Zonta USA
- Michele Hanash, AHA Foundation
- Fraidy Reiss, Unchained At Last
Ending Child Marriage in the United States
We at Unchained started and now lead a growing national movement to end child marriage in the United States by making the marriage age 18, no exceptions, in all 50 states.
Chain-In FAQs
Q: I don't have a bridal gown and veil. What should I do?
A: No problem. Simply indicate when you register that you want us to loan you a free gown and veil, and tell us what size you are. (We have an arsenal of some 100 bridal gowns that people have donated to us for use at Chain-Ins.)
Q: I prefer not to wear bridal clothing and/or not to chain my arms or tape my mouth. May I still join the Chain-In?
A: Absolutely. The full Chain-In experience involves wearing a bridal gown and chains, but if that makes you uncomfortable, we still want you to protest with us.
Q: I do not identify as female. Should I still join and wear a bridal gown and veil?
A: Yes, please! You are encouraged to join and to wear a gown and veil regardless of your gender identity.
Q: Should I bring my own chains and tape?
A: No, we will provide free plastic chains and comfortable tape.
Q: Is this legal?
A: Yes, we have the backing of the First Amendment, and we have permission to hold this Chain-In.
Q: How much does it cost to join the Chain-In?
A: Joining the Chain-In is free - but please consider donating to help offset the cost of the Chain-In and to help us fight forced and child marriage in the U.S. through direct services and systems change.
Q: Where is the exact Chain-In location?
A: The Chain-In will take place on the north steps of the Washington State Capitol at 416 Sid Snyder Ave. SW in Olympia.
Q: What time does the Chain-In begin and end?
A: Please arrive by 11:30 a.m. PT to sign in and change into Chain-In attire. The Chain-In will begin at 12:00 p.m. and end by 12:45 p.m.
Q: Will the Chain-In proceed in case of bad weather?
A: Yes, we will Chain-In regardless of weather conditions.
Q: How else can I help end child and forced marriage?
A: Whether or not you can join the Chain-In, please take these steps:
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