Reclaim The Night march- preview article
https://www.redbrick.me/reclaim-the-night-this-international-womens-day/
Also featured in print.
Also featured in print.
Reclaim the Night march- 7th/8th March 2019,
7pm
As a female University student, the threat of violence
is quietly present everywhere: in the
dark corners of clubs, during the brisk walk home from campus in the evening;
within the accounts of friends who have been assaulted or drugged. And yet, we
live on a relatively safe campus, in a relatively safe area, in a privileged
part of the world. But Birmingham’s upcoming 'Reclaim The Night' march is not
just for the likes of me and my friends, it's for all women, everywhere, who
are facing sexual and domestic violence.
The Reclaim the Night movement has a long history in
England as part of the Women's Liberation Movement, occurring for the first
time in Leeds in 1977.[1] The 60 women who marched
up North Street protested against the "Yorkshire Ripper" murders, as
well as the general violence that made women feel afraid within their own home
town, forced into early curfews and restrictions. Now led by the University of
Birmingham's Women's Officers Alif Trevathan and Holly Battrick, in
collaboration with GMB Trade Union, this year's march aims to build on such a
legacy and protest the pandemic of violence faced by women both in this
country, and across the world.
Due to the rise of mainstream feminism, including the
surge in commercialisation, with retailers placing an emphasis on "Girl
Power" products, it's easy to assume that sexism is becoming a thing of
the past. But aside from empowering tee-shirts and inclusive beauty campaigns,
individuals who identify as women are still facing a staggering level of
violence and discrimination. Laura Bates' 2013 book 'Everyday Sexism' revealed
shocking statistics such as the fact that 603 million women live in countries
where domestic violence is still not a crime,[2] and that 1 in 3 women on
the planet will be raped or beaten in their lifetime[3]. Such harrowing
information can make us feel tempted to shut ourselves up in our rooms, to not
go out late at night, to not wear the outfit that we wanted to. This march is
saying no to being afraid: it's reclaiming the night that was taken away from
us.
And what better time than now- in the wake of the
viral #MeToo campaign, and in a city currently hosting the prominent 'Women
Power Protest' exhibition, Birmingham is ready for collective action. The march
will take place around Broad Street and Victoria Square, with placards strongly
encouraged. There are also two guest speakers already confirmed- Preet Gill,
Birmingham Edgbaston MP, and Lisa Thompson, CEO of the Rape and Sexual Violence
Project (RSVP.) With more speakers to be announced, and placard-making
workshops to be organised closer to the time, all that is required now are the
marchers.
Whilst obviously women-led, this intersectional march
is open to all genders, and indeed- it deserves universal support. After all,
issues of domestic and sexual violence are not "women's issues", they
are concerned with basic human rights, and tolerating them within society is
detrimental for everyone. This march is also a chance to show solidarity with
the survivors of such violence, so whether you're raising your placard for
yourself- or for your friend, your girlfriend, or simply a stranger living
half-way across the world, its equally important that you raise it.
With 1,200 Facebook users currently interested or
going to the event, this has the potential to be an exceptional demonstration
of Birmingham's resistance to violence against women. But it's extremely
important to continue to drum up publicity- to share the event on Facebook, to
tell all your friends, to start making placards. For me, this march is about no
longer regarding the city at night as a place to be feared and avoided. But
next month, we will all bring our different incentives for marching, and join
in mutual solidarity.
Link to
Facebook event- https://birmingham.carpe-diem.events/calendar/9280772-reclaim-the-night-birmingham-at-victoria-square-birmingham/
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