Members of the Women’s Empowerment League were asked repeatedly to vacate the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union food court after handing out fliers promoting the SLUT Walk event Wednesday.

Gail Abrams-Aungst, the associate director of Housing and Dining, said she asked the members to leave because they were in violation of the food court’s rules of no solicitation, peddling or distribution of materials.

“While we do not catch everyone that comes into our establishment, the ones that do are told the same thing,” she said.

Abrams-Aungst also said there were signs posted stating “No Soliciting, Peddling or Distribution of Materials Allowed.”

She added that to leave materials on tables outside of the food court, there must be written permission from the Office of Scheduling and Food Court Management.

Jenny Greenberg, the president of the Women’s Empowerment League, said they while they were told it was solicitation, they were also told the material being handed out was offensive.

She said members were asked to leave three times, with the final time being within five minutes of them returning.

Greenberg said they were brought to one of the backrooms where it was explained that the “S.L.U.T. Walk” had a negative connotation, even after Greenberg explained what it was.

“S.L.U.T. Walk,” or Satirically Lessening Unfair Theories, is aimed to help bring awareness about sexual assault and to stop victim blaming and to end rape culture.

Greenberg said she was told the content she was handing out reflected poorly on the food court.

According to Eastern’s website, distribution of non-commercial literature is permitted outside of buildings, subject to reasonable time and place, and manner restrictions. Distribution of commercial handout literature is prohibited on campus without prior permission from the Campus Scheduling Office.

Abrams-Aungst said while she supported what the members of the Women’s Empowerment League were doing, it came down to the rules stating they could not solicit.

“I support, understand and commend these young ladies for standing up and making a great point,” she said. “This misconception has been around for generations and their support to change that is invaluable.”

Bob Galuski can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].