#BringBackOurGirls: An NYC Rally for a Global Crisis

The abduction "concerns all of us," says one co-organizer.

#BringBackOurGirls Takes City Hall - Beneath the long flight of New York City Hall’s steps, a coalition of legislators and advocates gathered on Monday to rally the #BringBackOurGirls movement and stand in solidarity with the abducted Nigerian girls’ families. Keep reading to see how attendees showed their support. — Patrice Peck (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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#BringBackOurGirls Takes City Hall - Beneath the long flight of New York City Hall’s steps, a coalition of legislators and advocates gathered on Monday to rally the #BringBackOurGirls movement and stand in solidarity with the abducted Nigerian girls’ families. Keep reading to see how attendees showed their support. — Patrice Peck (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

A Mass Kidnapping in Nigeria - Since Boko Haram's mass abduction of more than 300 Nigerian school girls came to light, a large wave of outrage and condemnation from various nations culminated in the viral transmedia campaign #BringBackOurGirls. U.S. and British experts are currently aiding Nigerian authorities in the search of the girls who have been missing since April 15. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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A Mass Kidnapping in Nigeria - Since Boko Haram's mass abduction of more than 300 Nigerian school girls came to light, a large wave of outrage and condemnation from various nations culminated in the viral transmedia campaign #BringBackOurGirls. U.S. and British experts are currently aiding Nigerian authorities in the search of the girls who have been missing since April 15. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

A Local Rally for a Global Event - Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, the Chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues (pictured), organized the Manhattan #BringBackOurGirls rally in conjunction with Speaker Melissa Mark-Vivierito and Public Advocate Letitia James. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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A Local Rally for a Global Event - Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, the Chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues (pictured), organized the Manhattan #BringBackOurGirls rally in conjunction with Speaker Melissa Mark-Vivierito and Public Advocate Letitia James. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

A Small, Yet Mighty Turnout - The small, yet determined group of attendees included members of the New York City Council, as well as the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, the Women’s Caucus and the Jewish Caucus.  (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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A Small, Yet Mighty Turnout - The small, yet determined group of attendees included members of the New York City Council, as well as the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, the Women’s Caucus and the Jewish Caucus.  (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

Something Red - A number of attendees wore red to signal their denouncing of the ongoing violence in Nigeria. The Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram, which claimed responsibility for the kidnappings and more than 1,500 additional deaths this year, have threatened to sell the young girls into slavery.  (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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Something Red - A number of attendees wore red to signal their denouncing of the ongoing violence in Nigeria. The Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram, which claimed responsibility for the kidnappings and more than 1,500 additional deaths this year, have threatened to sell the young girls into slavery.  (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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Crimes Against Humanity - “The abduction of innocent schoolgirls in Nigeria is not solely a women’s rights issue, it is a matter that concerns all of us, as a crime against humanity,” said rally co-organizer Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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Crimes Against Humanity - “The abduction of innocent schoolgirls in Nigeria is not solely a women’s rights issue, it is a matter that concerns all of us, as a crime against humanity,” said rally co-organizer Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

After Mother's Day - “After millions of Americans observed Mother’s Day, we remember the hundreds of mothers in Nigeria who cannot embrace their children, but remain hopeful for the day when their families will be reunited,” Cumbo added.(Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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After Mother's Day - “After millions of Americans observed Mother’s Day, we remember the hundreds of mothers in Nigeria who cannot embrace their children, but remain hopeful for the day when their families will be reunited,” Cumbo added.(Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

Bring Our Girls Home - Kayla Irzarry and Bleu Santiago of the New York City non-profit theatre collective Girl Be Heard performed an original poem titled, “Bring Our Girls Home.” “Education. Liberation. Bring Back Our Girls,” they chanted, as Bleu provided acoustics with step choreography. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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Bring Our Girls Home - Kayla Irzarry and Bleu Santiago of the New York City non-profit theatre collective Girl Be Heard performed an original poem titled, “Bring Our Girls Home.” “Education. Liberation. Bring Back Our Girls,” they chanted, as Bleu provided acoustics with step choreography. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

Empowering Girls - Harlem Councilwoman Inez Dickens also delivered a passionate message, emphasizing the critical need for the empowerment of young girls abroad and locally.(Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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Empowering Girls - Harlem Councilwoman Inez Dickens also delivered a passionate message, emphasizing the critical need for the empowerment of young girls abroad and locally.(Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

Let Us Join Hands Together - Members of the faith-based community, including those of Nigerian heritage, were also on hand to offer words of encouragement to the families of the missing girls. At one point, attendees joined hands to form a prayer circle. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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Let Us Join Hands Together - Members of the faith-based community, including those of Nigerian heritage, were also on hand to offer words of encouragement to the families of the missing girls. At one point, attendees joined hands to form a prayer circle. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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A Safe Return - "We stand in solidarity as a legislative body, calling for the safe return of these young ladies, who were sent to school to create a better life for themselves and their families, not to become slaves for domestic or sexual purposes,” said Councilwoman Cumbo.(Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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A Safe Return - "We stand in solidarity as a legislative body, calling for the safe return of these young ladies, who were sent to school to create a better life for themselves and their families, not to become slaves for domestic or sexual purposes,” said Councilwoman Cumbo.(Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

The Future of Nigeria - Following the rally, the office of Councilwoman Cumbo released a statement, saying, "Now the community must stand for these brave young women who represent the future of Nigeria." (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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The Future of Nigeria - Following the rally, the office of Councilwoman Cumbo released a statement, saying, "Now the community must stand for these brave young women who represent the future of Nigeria." (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

The Search Continues - The search for some 276 abducted schoolgirls continues as U.S. reconnaissance aircrafts start flying over Nigeria this week. Nigerian government officials said “all options are open,” including negations with the kidnappers. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)

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The Search Continues - The search for some 276 abducted schoolgirls continues as U.S. reconnaissance aircrafts start flying over Nigeria this week. Nigerian government officials said “all options are open,” including negations with the kidnappers. (Photo: Patrice Peck/BET)