Emergency Chain-In Hartford, CT

Start: Friday, June 02, 2023•10:00 AM

End: Friday, June 02, 2023•11:30 AM

Photo of Unchained's founder and executive director, Fraidy Reiss, in front of a brick wall. She's wearing a bridal gown and veil with chains around her wrist, and she's yelling into a megaphone. Text: Emergency Chain-In Hartford. Wear a bridal gown and v

Connecticut could end child marriage right now — but the senate is not moving a pending bill that the house already passed, and the governor promised to sign, to end this human rights abuse. And if they don’t act by Wednesday, the bill will die.

This calls for an emergency protest.

We at Unchained At Last urge you to Chain-In with us in Hartford on June 2. We'll gather at the Connecticut State Capitol wearing bridal gowns and veils, with our arms chained and mouths taped, to protest forced and child marriage and urge Connecticut senators to pass HB6569, the simple, commonsense bill that would eliminate all marriage before age 18, no exceptions.

If the senate doesn't take action, we may turn this into a perpetual Chain-In: We will Chain-In at the capitol EVERY DAY until the end of the legislative session (June 7), unless the senate passes the bill.

We provide the bridal gowns, veils and chains. All you need to do is register on this page - and join us to insist Connecticut legislators end child marriage!

Speakers include:

Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, legislative champion
Rep. Sarah Keitt, legislative champion
Bridget Koestner, Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Jenn Bradbury, child marriage survivor
Becca Powell, Unchained At Last
Fraidy Reiss, Unchained At Last and forced marriage survivor

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.

Marriage before 18 can too easily be forced, because minors, even a day before their 18th birthday, have limited legal rights that make resisting or escaping an unwanted marriage nearly impossible. Further, marriage before 18 is a human rights abuse that destroys American girls’ health, education and economic opportunities and greatly increases their risk of experiencing violence.

Join the movement. Chain-In with us to demand an end to this human rights abuse.

Read more here about Chain-Ins, the powerful form of peaceful protest that we invented to raise awareness of forced and child marriage in the United 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 South side of the Connecticut State Capitol at 210 Capitol Ave. in Hartford.

Q: What time does the Chain-In begin and end?

A: Please arrive by 10:00 a.m. to sign in and change into Chain-In attire. The Chain-In will begin at 10:30 a.m. and end by 11:30 a.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:

Donate. Every gift makes a big difference to someone who is fleeing a forced marriage.
Stay updated. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and share and like our posts.
Volunteer. We rely on the kindness of pro bono attorneys, psychotherapists and others.

This event is accessible

Registration is Closed