It is an odd sight seeing random girls carrying twin-size mattresses everywhere they go throughout campus. And if you are like me, you are probably wondering what exactly is going on.

Two weeks ago, groups of college students across the nation participated in a project called, “Carry The Weight Together." This project was designed to support of survivors of sexual and domestic violence. This project also served as a way to support Columbia University student, Emma Sulkowicz, who is currently a senior visual arts student at the New York City university.

On her first day of sophomore year, she claims to have been raped by a classmate, on her mattress, which inspired her senior thesis project, “Carry The Weight." With this project, Sulkowicz is dragging her mattress everywhere she goes on campus until her rapist is expelled or leaves. This project also forces the community to face the emotional and physical trauma of sexual assault. While one of Sulkowicz’s rules for the performance is that she is not allowed to ask for help while carrying it around, others are allowed to offer their help. Since then, two other women have come forward to say that they had been assaulted by the same student, but the alleged attacker was found not responsible by the university and remains in school. 

Last month, Columbia students brought out roughly a dozen mattresses in support of Emma and her project. However, the events that occurred two weeks ago, on campuses all around the country, have extended far beyond Columbia’s gates. Over 10,000 people marked themselves as attending on the Facebook event page. With this support, hopefully changes will not only be made at Columbia, but at schools nation wide.