This story was originally published Oct. 21, 2105
A group of men attacked a female comedian on a D.C. street just days before she’s set to take the stage – and she says the show will go on.
Paris Sashay, 23, was brutally attacked by several men late last Saturday night after they called out to her and friends and she rejected their advances, she told News 4.
The comic was walking from Eden, on I Street NW to a car parked on L Street NW when a group of men began harassing the group of women. Their behavior escalated and then became violent, Sashay said.
She was pushed to the ground, blacked out and woke up in a hospital with a broken nose and chipped teeth, her face covered in bruises.
“Guys make it where you don’t have a right to say no anymore. But as a woman, you should be able to say no,” Sashay said. “Just say no. You’re just not interested.”
Sashay said her first concern when she awoke was not the damage to her face but whether she would be able to perform on Thursday at the DC Improv comedy club. She decided that those who hurt her would not stop her.
“Tomorrow won’t be nothing but excellent. No matter how much it takes, I’ll just go out, perform and do whatever it takes to make the people laugh,” she said. “I won’t let the people down.”
Stand-up comedy is a tough business, and after her performance Thursday, Sashay will have proved herself plenty tough. She’s accepting donations online toward her recovery.
Source: nbcwashington.com
