Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
"No Catcall Zones" Popping Up Around NYC
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 15, 2015
Modified Apr 15, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 15, 2015
Modified Apr 15, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Non-profit clothing company Feminist Apparel has posted around 50 signs in Brooklyn and Manhattan alerting passersby that they have officially entered "No Catcall Zones." The signs feature the silhouette of a cat that appears to be shooting lasers from its eyes at dancing stick figures, OR, the dancing stick figures are actually the louche, crotch-grabbing catcallers, and you are the cat. The lasers remain unexplained. "End Street Harassment," reads the text at the bottom.
This is novel and all, but somewhat akin to the signs announcing that restaurant workers are required to wash their hands after using the bathroom. Rather than celebrating the presence of the sign, shouldn't we first wonder WHY WE NEED A SIGN?
After the "wonderment phase" phase passes (10 to 25 seconds), we enter the "dark realization phase": If there is no sign, is catcalling permitted? If I pee all over my hands but no sign instructs me to wash them, may I simply return to the kitchen to continue making duck cassoulet?
There are only two rules here: Don't catcall. And wash your hands. Thank you.
(h/t Brokelyn)
Tagged
street harassment
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .