Take Back the Night is an international event and non-profit organization with the mission of ending sexual, relationship, and domestic violence in all forms. Hundreds of events are held in over 30 countries annually. Events often include marches, rallies and vigils intended as a protest and direct action against rape and other forms of sexual, relationship and domestic violence. In 2001, a group of women who had participated in the earliest Take Back the Night marches, came together to form the Take Back the Night Foundation in support of the events throughout the United States and the world. Events typically consist of a rally followed by a march and often a speak-out or candlelight vigil on violence against women.
- Wikipedia
I attended several Take Back the Night Rallies in college. There were powerful speakers, inspiring musicians, and then we marched through town holding signs and chanting sayings that advocated ending violence against women. We were especially louder when we went by “frat row”; not all fraternity members are rapists, but there are a higher number of rapes amongst this population, thus an organizational system that supports rape culture. (Because of their wealth, and sometimes, connections, the perpetrators of these crimes hardly see any jail time). Some frat guys yelled negative misogynist things at us as we passed their houses at times. Then at the end of the march we ended up at a park in the town square. Here different people shared stories of their sexual abuse. I shared one year. I told my story in front of a crowd of 500 people. It felt empowering. Just being part of the event can be empowering, whether you choose to participate by telling your story and participating in chants, or simply by listening, and then quietly walking (or moving by wheel chair or other method) in the march to the other location.
Since I have only attended Take Back the Night Rallies in one location, I am not aware of what traditions are practiced in other locations, which may be slightly different, but most are similar.
Here are a couple chants from the Rallies. These are similar cries for justice can be heard.
Raise your voice, get on your feet! Fight for ourselves, fight for our streets!
However we dress, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no!
Join together, free our lives! No one will be victimized!
No means no, it doesn’t mean maybe. Don’t touch me, I ain’t your baby!
2,4,6,8, stop the violence stop the rape!
Women united will never be defeated!
Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Sexual Violence has got to go!
Feminists unite. Reclaim the night!
- The chants were found at everychant.wordpress.com & sarahmcculloch.com
- And as you can see, I have sprinkled various signs from Take Back the Night Rallies from all over on this post. Look for these events in towns or on college campuses in April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, or in October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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