News / Reclaim the Night
Reclaim the Night march returns to Bristol’s streets
“We’re fed up of having to watch our back the whole time, and anything we do and be blamed for it.”
These were the words of Bea Elliot, a young woman who took part in this year’s Reclaim the Night march on Thursday evening, the first such march since the pandemic.
The march, which is part of an annual campaign against sexual harassment and gender-based violence, saw hundreds of people take to the streets at night to show their solidarity as women and allies.
is needed now More than ever
Protestors chanted “Whose streets? Our Streets” and “What do we want? Safe streets. When do we want it? Now” – photo: Wong Yat Him
The national Reclaim The Night movement originally began in Leeds in 1977, and was started by the Women’s Liberation Movement.
On Thursday evening, colourful lights were given out by members of the Bristol SU, who had organised the protest, and many held placards, with powerful messages such as “Text me when you’re home”, “Take back the night” and “No means no”.
Bea and her friend Rebecca Knowles, both from the University of Bristol told Bristol24/7 why they were protesting.
“It’s still not safe to walk around the streets at night, or at any point during the day. Being young women, we see in the news how often women go missing or are killed,” said Rebecca.
“From personal experience and experiences of friends, we’ve all had issues. It’s a constant fear,” added Bea.
“You get blamed for going out, getting too drunk, wearing inappropriate things, but that’s not the point. We should be able to do what we want just like men can do what they want,” she continued.
“Women are so resilient and look out for each other more than men even realise that they have to. My sign says text me when you get home because every time you go somewhere you have to text your friends when you’re home because you want them to know you’re safe. Men don’t have to think about that.”
“My sign says text me when you get home because every time you go somewhere you have to text your friends when you’re home because you want them to know you’re safe. Men don’t have to think about that” – photo: Mia Vines Booth
“It’s not just for women, it’s for everybody’s safety. We are here as women trying to give a voice to other women and other genders.”
Prior to the march, Saranyah Thambirajah, Bristol SU’s equality, liberation and access officer said: “Reclaim is an opportunity for us all to march together to take an active stand against gender-based violence and oppression; demonstrating our defiance to living in fear.
“In 2022 we will not relent to victim blaming, or blurred lines around consent. This march is just the beginning of fighting for a safer university, a safer Bristol and a safer society.
The march travelled from Queen Square to the University of Bristol student union, where emotive speeches from the Bristol Feminist Collective, That’s What She Said, Bristol Sex Workers Collective and iFemSoc took place.
Members of the local community also took part in the march, with some protestors holding placards that related to the ‘Kill the Bill’ arrests and other recent crackdowns on protests.
Main photo: Wong Yat Him
Read next:
- Midwives, parents and doulas protest in Bristol
- Protest planned to reclaim our buses
- ‘Today I strike because enough is enough’
- UWE staff strike for first time in nine years
- Hope for Bristol’s young queer homeless
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