Chanting passionately and bearing photos of murder victims, about 60 people marched down Main St. to demand safety and equality for women.
The turnout had organizers declaring Take Back the Night, held this past Monday evening, Nov. 25, a positive step forward.
“Flin Flon has seen violence against women in many forms and unfortunately many times,” organizer Colleen Arnold told the crowd through a megaphone.
“We stand in solidarity tonight with all the women who have been abused.”
Arnold’s comments touched a nerve with the crowd, whose ranks included only slightly more women and female youths than men and male youths.
Prior to the march they all gathered at Pioneer Square, lighting candles and picking up enlarged photos of local murder victims.
The photos, of Raylene Grant and Natasha Moar, served as a sombre reminder of the dangers women continue to face in today’s society.
Grant was found murdered in a Flin Flon hotel room in 2011, while Moar, a former Flin Flonner, was murdered in Crane River, Man., in 2009. In both cases, men known to the victims were charged.
In addressing the crowd, a well-bundled Arnold, as full of conviction as ever, summed up the purpose of the march.
“Today we stand together. Today we walk together,” she said. “Our walk is for all who have been hurt.”
Arnold, the executive director of the Women’s Resource Centre, encouraged marchers to “make a racket” to “smash the silence” around their common cause.
With that, the marchers proceeded south down Main St., an RCMP cruiser leading them under the glow of light posts and storefront signs.
‘Women unite’
In unison they read out chants such as “Women united will never be defeated” and “Women unite, take back the night.”
The march made a left turn onto Angel Ave., the former section of Third Ave. renamed in honour of victims of domestic violence.
It concluded back at Pioneer Square.
Among the participants was domestic abuse survivor and educator Connie Lynne, currently on a tour of northern communities.
“What a pleasure to see everyone who came out tonight to stand against abuse and walk for women’s freedom,” said Lynne.
“Being part of the group was uplifting and emotional. When I heard the men’s voices join in with the female declaration of rights, it brought tears to my eyes.”
While events like Take Back the Night will not by themselves end violence against women, Arnold believes every bit of awareness helps.
The march coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It was also part of the Women’s Resource Centre’s events marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Take Back the Night, a movement with marches held across the globe, was sparked by the death of Susan Speeth, a Philadelphia woman who was attacked by a stranger as she walked back from work at night.
Domestic violence survivor and educator Connie Lynne holds a photo of murder victim Natasha Moar.
Left: Marchers head down Main Street. Right: Colleen Arnold addresses the crowd.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
