London Indymedia

Reclaim the Night photos + report

RTN participant | 04.12.2006 11:49 | Gender | London

On Saturday 25th November over 1000 women took to the streets of London to "Reclaim the Night".

Reclaim the Night
Reclaim the Night

End Violence against Women
End Violence against Women

Stewards Bib
Stewards Bib

Amnesty banner
Amnesty banner

Another banner
Another banner

Rally at ULU
Rally at ULU


Just over 1000 women turned up to support this years Reclaim the Night in what was, according to the organisers at the rally, was one of the biggest turn-outs so far. The Reclaim the Night appeared (in the UK) as a response to killings by the Yorkshire Ripper where women were told by the police to stay in door after night. However women walked in their hundreds through the city streets at night to highlight that they should be able to walk anywhere and that they should not be blamed or restricted because of male violence. Now, as then, women are taking back their right to walk in saftey and the RTN marches each year are geting stronger.

At Trafalgar Sq. the atmosphere was incredibly powerful as so many women stepped up to say "no more" to rape and all other forms of violence against women regardless of class, age, ethnicity or circumstance. While women were waited for numbers to gather in the Square, there was a hugely positve feeling of expectation in the crowd. Women talked freely of their histories, experiences and hopes for the future. Many women activists shared tales of solidarity asking each other questions of interest in femist topics and women from the 70s movements openly expressing their pleasure at seeing so many yong women willing to take up the struggle for womens' rights and celebrating female strength.

The march set off with a huge variety of banners from different groups proclaiming 'Recalim the Night' through to 'Womens' rights are Universal'. Police 'escorted' the march up to Charring Cross intervening once as a large group of men exited a pub, hurling insults and comments ("lesbians", "get your tits out") and punching fists in the air.. ho hum..!! Many women pointedly ignored these men, while others shouted back. Many onlookers were shocked at the reaction of these men and made positive comments to the women in retort.

Walking up Tottenham Court Road the march became a space for shared chants and some lively discussions. On arriving at the infamous Spearmint Rhino lap dancing club, women passed the building in a chrous of boos.

Shortly after, the next corner led the march to the University of London union where a rally with a variety of speakers and bands were to talk and play. Many men joined the rally to listen to the talks by the organisers and guest speakers.

The night was rounded off with music, talk, dancing and optimism.

For more information see:
 http://www.ldnfeministnetwork.ik.com


RTN participant
- e-mail: .
- Homepage: http://.

Kollektives

Birmingham
Cambridge
Liverpool
London
Oxford
Sheffield
South Coast
Wales
World

Other UK IMCs
Bristol/South West
London
Northern Indymedia
Scotland

London Topics

Afghanistan
Analysis
Animal Liberation
Anti-Nuclear
Anti-militarism
Anti-racism
Bio-technology
Climate Chaos
Culture
Ecology
Education
Energy Crisis
Fracking
Free Spaces
Gender
Globalisation
Health
History
Indymedia
Iraq
Migration
Ocean Defence
Other Press
Palestine
Policing
Public sector cuts
Repression
Social Struggles
Technology
Terror War
Workers' Movements
Zapatista

London IMC

Desktop

About | Contact
Mission Statement
Editorial Guidelines
Publish | Help

Search :