Take Back the Night: An Evening of Solidarity

Take Back the Night: An Evening of Solidarity

Students gathered in the plaza. Some were creating handmade signs while others gathered in small groups and prepared for the march across campus. Even though Take Back the Night is an annual event that serves to raise awareness about sexual assault and empower survivors, each year is different. This year’s crowd was eager to begin, passionate about the topic and committed to show its support.

Take Back the Night 2016

For Erin Lovette-Colyer, director of the Women’s Center, the event is larger than a single night, it is a movement: “The event provides a space for victim-survivors to feel validated and a sense of empowerment. It is feeling empowered that supports healing and motivates our community to create change.”

As soon as the march began, Lovette-Colyer’s words came to life as the campus was filled with supportive chanting. At one point, the participants yelled in unison, “This is what a feminist looks like!” as they marched through the SLP in solidarity. After the march ended, the candlelight vigil began and two victim-survivors shared their stories. By the end of the night, the candles had been blown out and the chanting had stopped, but the message remained: you are not alone.

 

— Taylor Milam