Women have once again marched through Nottingham city centre, in an effort to demand an end to violence against women.
Reclaim the Night is Nottingham’s biggest and loudest annual grassroots protest against all forms of men’s violence against women.
The women-only march set off at 7pm from Sneinton Market, after hundreds of people had gathered from 6pm.
The organisers said on Instagram: “Getting together with like-minded women is good for the spirits in these gloomy times.
“Together we can send a clear message that violence against women will not be tolerated in our city.”
All women were welcome to the trans-inclusive event, as well as anyone who has experienced misogynistic oppression.
Placards with messages such as ‘Freedom not Feardom’, ‘We Will Not Stay Silent’, and ‘No Does Not Mean Convince Me’ were held by marchers.
The loop around the city centre saw protesters stop in Old Market Square at 7:20pm, where the Reclaim the Night March was joined by local Iranian women, who held a demonstration to fight for their rights.
This comes after the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely.
Protesters then arrived back at Sneinton Market at 7:45pm.
The march was followed by a rally, which saw multiple speakers, including MP for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome, sharing their experiences of sexual assault and supporting the movement.
A first speech was given by Rose Khoshirat, the founder of a newly-formed local Iranian group.
Rose said: “Safety is a basic human right that the people of my country have been deprived of.
“As Iranians, we want to create a democratic country by asking the UK government to support us.”
NTU students and presidents of NTU’s Feminist Society and Survivors’ Network, Megan Lewis and Rose Taylor, respectively, have also shared their sexual assault experiences during the rally.
The event ended with Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, who expressed her support towards women.
She said: “It’s so great to be here tonight and feel the sisterhood and solidarity as we reclaim our streets and stand together against violence and harassment.
“It can feel so isolating sometimes hearing over and over again of yet another woman falling victim to male violence, of yet another man abusing his power, of yet another predator being protected.
“We deserve so much better than this. Whether on the streets, on nights out, in workplaces, in our own homes, women deserve to feel safe.
“We need to keep fighting for a future where women are believed and men are held accountable for their own actions.”
The protest was followed by a free afterparty with music and comedy at Nonsuch Studios.
Lead image: Rucsandra Moldoveanu