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Solidarity march planned on the Downs
Hundreds of people are expected to march on the Downs on Thursday in a stand against a spate of recent sexual assaults in the area.
The march has been organised in the wake of five reported sex attacks on the Downs in three months.
Organisers said the march was “in solidarity with the survivors of sexual violence” and was about “standing up and reclaiming our spaces”.
is needed now More than ever
They added that recent coverage of sexual assaults on the Downs had focussed too much on what women could do to avoid assaults and not enough on the perpetrators of the alleged crimes.
The march will start from the water tower on Stoke Road at 6pm on Thursday, May 28.
“As many people will be aware that in the last few months there have been three sexual assaults on the Clifton Downs in Bristol,” organiser Maggie-Lu Bongodream said.
“Ask around and you’ll soon hear more tales, anecdotes, and warnings that the downs have never been a safe space at night, and now the day either.
“Women are being warned to ‘take precautions’ when going there. This is unacceptable! The Downs is a public space; we should all have the right to feel safe there day and night! Whether you are out for a jog, short cutting home after a night out, or anything else.”
Organisers said the march aims to be inclusive to everyone, but there will be a women only space at the front.
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