Hundreds to join march against male violence in Auckland
Hundreds to join march against male violence in Auckland
CBD
Hundreds of supporters are expected to join
the 'Take Back the Night' march through central Auckland in
solidarity to make the streets safe for women and fight male
violence.
Organised and led by Auckland Feminist Action, the Take Back the Night march, which is part of a global initiative, will walk, dance and chant their way through the central city, starting at 7pm from the corner of Symonds and Alfred Streets. The march will conclude with a rally in Aotea Square at 8pm where representatives of local groups will speak about the right to safety against violence.
This year the march was organised to
celebrate communities coming together to reclaim the right
to walk our city at night - indeed all the time - without
fear. Mindful of the need for rape law reform and that the
Law Commission's report on sexual violence trials is due to
be released in September, the objective is to bring the
issue of sexual violence and rape culture to the
forefront!
Auckland Feminist Action spokesperson, Meg
Rayner-Thomas says: “We are taking back the night on
August 28 because we know that in Aotearoa New Zealand 1 in
5 women will experience sexual assault and yet only 1 in 100
of those assaulted will see justice. We are fighting for
our right to be safe from men’s violence and be protected
by the law as well as celebrating what can be achieved when
we come together and demand change.”
Speakers
and performers include:
AK Samba
Marama Davidson - Te
Wharepora Hou
Kathryn McPhillips – HELP, support for
sexual abuse survivors
Debbi Tohill - Rape Prevention
Education
Tessa Haden - AUSA Queer Rights
Shakti
Women’s Refuge
Lorri Mackness - Women’s Disability
Forum
Teri Fong - Feminist Action
Sabrina Muck -
Auckland Women’s Centre, Slam
Poet
ends