What is Take Back the Night?
Take Back the Night, which originated in Germany in 1973, is an international event to speak out against sexual violence and gather support for survivors and their loved ones. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, designated nationally and also statewide by a proclamation signed by Governor Baldacci. This year’s event is Portland’s 28th annual Take Back the Night March and Rally!
Take Back the Night is a feminist event which begins with a rally including speeches and performances and concludes with a march and candlelight vigil. In the United States and Europe, local Take Back the Night events on college campuses and city-wide are organized year round to highlight the issue of violence against women. For participants, the event can be inspiring, educational, and empowering, and it is hoped that observers come away from the experience with more empathy for women’s issues. The roots of Take Back the Night can be found in 1976, when women took to the streets of Belgium in a Reclaim the Night March. The women were angry about the rising incidence of rape and violence against women, and wanted to symbolically reclaim the night, shedding light on a serious issue and also asserting their right to move safely and freely at night. The women marched with candles and held a rally which included speeches by prominent women’s rights activists, and other European cities quic
