Dublin student campaigns to protect Molly Malone statue

A college student in Dublin is working to stop people from groping a famous statue. The statue, known as Molly Malone, is often touched by passersby because of an urban myth that it brings good luck. Many visitors take photos while fondling the statue, especially her chest area, which has faded over time from all the touching. Tilly Cripwell, 23, is a student at Trinity College and also a busker near the statue. She often sees this behavior and decided to take action when she had enough. Cripwell launched a social media campaign called #LeaveMollymAlone to raise awareness about the issue. She has also spoken to Dublin City Council about her concerns. Cripwell advocates for raising the statue on a higher pedestal to match other male statues and having it repainted to restore its original appearance. The statue of Molly Malone is a symbol of Dublin and is featured in a well-known song. On International Women’s Day, Cripwell released a song titled "Leave Molly mAlone." She believes that changing how the statue is treated can help set better standards for how women are treated in society. Cripwell has experienced harassment herself, including being mimicked by tourists while standing near the statue. She hopes her efforts will lead to important changes.