Several dozen inmates in San Francisco Bay area jails shimmied and sweat Thursday in a behind bars choreography aimed at symbolizing an end to violence against women on Valentine's Day.

San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi invited a local choreographer to organize the flash mobs several months after his own domestic violence case nearly led to his ouster from office last year.

Numerous inmates said they found participating in the dance inspiring.

Mirkarimi pleaded guilty in March to a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment stemming from a New Year's Eve dispute with his wife, Venezuelan actress Eliana Lopez. He was reinstated to his job in October.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and other leaders have organized another event at City Hall to coincide with other One Billion Rising rallies around the globe spearheaded by playwright Eve Ensler.