Hundreds of women marched through the streets of Nottingham on Saturday (24 November) in protest against sexual violence.
People of all ages showed up decked in lights and waving banners, guided by volunteers as they called for an end to gender-based violence.
The route began at Forest Recreation Ground, winding through Nottingham City Centre before ending in a rally in Trinity Square.
Nottingham’s ‘biggest and loudest annual grassroots protest’ is organised by Nottingham Women’s Centre, Equation, Women’s Aid Integrated Services, POW and Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services.
“Trans, disabled, women of all abilities and races have all come out here to stand together” Jacqui Hamilton
“It’s so nice how diverse it is here,” said Jacqui Hamilton, member of Nottingham Trent Feminist Society.
“There are so many different people, trans, disabled, women of all abilities and races have all come out here to stand together and it’s so amazing.”
Louise Detain, mother to 1-year-old Beatrice, took her daughter along on the march in the hopes of a brighter future for her.
“How I would love that by her 18th birthday the streets would be a place would she would feel safe.
“We’ve got 17 years.”
“Take back the night free from fear and make it clear we are not going to be silent”
While the march originated in Leeds in the ’70s as a protest against the police reaction to the Yorkshire Ripper murders, it has since developed into a national movement that fights to prevent the 85,000 reported rapes in the UK every year.
“There was a wonderful turnout, and everyone got into the spirit of the march,” said Rachel Saunders, who stewarded the event.
“Reclaim the Night means a chance for women to protest injustices against women, take back the night free from fear and make it clear we are not going to be silent.
“We want the same social freedoms men enjoy, without the worry that someone is going to take a liberty and do or say something that violates our right to exist free from abuse.”
By Katie Ansell