Join us at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Square this Monday, Nov. 25 to Take Back the Night!
Take Back the Night is an annual international event to resist violence against women and children.
It is a visible protest which takes place in the streets: a reclaiming of the place where we are supposed to be the most afraid.
This event is designed to bring visibility and exposure to the impact of sexual violence in women’s lives.
Take Back the Night marches provide an opportunity to let our voices be heard, to reclaim our own power in the face of fear and sorrow. Sharing the pain and celebrating our ability to transform society are essential for healing and to escape being overwhelmed by helplessness.
Take Back the Night’s roots may lie in 1877, when women protested the fear and violence they experienced in the night-time streets of London, England.
In 1976 women attending the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women lit candles and took to the moonlit streets of Belgium to denounce the continuation of violence against women.
Since its inception, thousands of marches and rallies bearing the name Take Back the Night have taken place worldwide.
Most present-day rallies offer survivors of violence an opportunity to give voice to their experiences and publicly affirm their transition from victim to survivor.
Common components of Take Back the Night rallies include candlelight vigils, empowerment marches, and survivor testimonials.
The goals and specific features of a Take Back the Night rally are just as varied as its vast array of supporters.
Throughout its history, Take Back the Night has inspired both women and men to confront a myriad of social ills, including rape, sexual violence, domestic violence, violence against children, and violence against women.
The unifying theme throughout these diverse topics is the assertion that all human beings have the right to be free from violence, the right to be heard, and the right to reclaim those rights if they are violated.
– Women’s Resource Centre
