Reclaim the Night marches started as part of the Women’s Liberation Movement in 1977, urging for a change to the safety of women and girls, where ‘woman’ is defined as anyone who self-identifies as such. Saturday’s event was delivered by the TUC Northern Women’s Group, in collaboration with West End Women and Girls Centre; It Happens Here; Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland; and Newcastle University Students’ Union. The main aims of the march included:
Upon arriving at Bigg Market, a large group of women had gathered, with many blowing whistles and carrying posters, which displayed messages such as ‘vulva la revolution’ and ‘cats against catcalling’. At 18:00, the march proceeded down Highbridge, towards Grey Street, and since it was a Saturday night, there were a lot of the public walking along the streets or sitting in surrounding restaurants.
The general reception to the march was positive, with most people looking interested in learning more about the march, filming us, or clapping as we walked past. Additionally, our chants of: ‘What do we want?' 'Safe Streets’, ‘When do we want them?' 'Now!’ and ‘Whose Streets?' 'Our Streets!’, paired with the noise of whistles and megaphones, certainly succeeded in grabbing the attention of passers-by. President of Newcastle University society 'It Happens Here', Abigail Hardcastle, described the march as "an extremely emotional experience...one of the most moving parts of the march was when we were shouting 'Whose Streets?' 'Our Streets!'...that collective voice demanding change was very powerful".
Although we were met with the confirmation that gender-based violence is still very much alive and present in the streets of Newcastle, when a crowd of men began to boo the march, NUSU President, Madeline Baugh, commented that their behaviour was "embarrassing" and "disgusting", with it only "exemplifying exactly why we have to keep marching to reclaim the night...our voices matter, they have power, and they make a difference". The men's negative reaction towards the march thus only stirred the women to raise their voices even louder and proceed in solidarity with their reclamation of the night.
As the march carried on down Dean Street, some car drivers blew their horns in support of the cause, which contributed to the lively atmosphere, and rallied us down the hill. Once at the Quayside, we were met by 'The Bangshees', who are an all-female samba drumming band. They brought a lot of great noise and attention to the march, with cars even stopping to film it. The Millennium Bridge was the last point in our route, before stopping in Baltic Square. At the request of TUC, Gateshead Council had lit the Bridge up in orange. According to UNESCO, orange symbolises a brighter future, free of violence, and therefore demonstrates solidarity within eliminating gender-based violence.
"The collective voice, demanding change was very powerful" - Abigail Hardcastle, IHH President
Once we arrived in Baltic Square, we lit candles, and took part in a minute’s silence to remember all the women and girls who have lost their lives due to gender-based violence. Then, we heard from several speakers, including TUC’s Pat Heron; NUSU President Madeline Baugh; It Happens Here President and Welfare Officer, Abigail Hardcastle and Olivia Wilson; West End Women and Girl’s Centre; and many other inspiring women. Madeline encouraged everyone present at the march to take part in a song, with the lyrics ‘she is weary from standing alone’ and ‘there is power in solidarity’, whilst Abigail and Olivia recounted their experiences of gender-based violence. Whilst each woman had a different story to tell, they were united through their commitment to demanding an end to violence against women and girls. Abigail told The Courier that “Reclaim the Night enabled our society to amplify survivor’s voices by calling for action, showing institutions that their inaction to deal with these issues is unacceptable and will not be tolerated”. Along with this, the members of It Happens Here were holding their ’85 hands for 85 women’ banner, which was created to mark ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’ and represents the 85 women who have lost their lives due to gender-based violence so far this year. The banner therefore acted as a pertinent reminder for all those present at the march as to why it’s still imperative as ever that we demand for action to take place amongst our homes, streets, and institutions, in relation to gender-based violence.
The marchers took part in a minute’s silence to remember all the women and girls who have lost their lives due to gender-based violence
Reclaim the Night gave a voice to some of the women and girls who are otherwise marginalised, allowing them to stand in solidarity, and demand for change against gendered violence. However, the night was met with a bittersweet ending, as Pat Heron invited everyone to attend the march again next year, showing that, unfortunately, we still have a long, arduous journey before it will no longer be necessary to take to the streets, raise our voices, and demand for an end to gender-based violence against women and girls.
