'If nothing is said, then change won't happen' (13 photos)
Friday, September 21, 2012 by: Donna Hopper
Thursday evening saw approximately 100 women gather at the Phoenix Rising Women's Centre on Albert Street to participate in the annual Take Back the Night march.
Hosted by Phoenix Rising and Womyn 4 Social Justice, the march aims to draw attention to and promote action regarding violence against women and children.
Represented in the diverse group of participants were members of the Sault's Red Umbrella Campaign, an advocacy group concerned for the safety of local sex workers.
For more information about this group and its initiatives, please click here
A police escort safely guided the march from Phoenix Rising to the Bondar Pavilion where participants were greeted by First Nations drummers and were invited to take part in a variety of activities, discussions, and entertainment.
Of Take Back the Night, long-time participant Barbara Day told SooToday.com: "If nothing is said, then change won't happen. What we're trying to do is raise awareness... and make sure our message of anti-violence doesn't go away."
"[Take Back the Night] is important because it reminds people that there are still safety issues for women and their children, and it gives us the opportunity to demonstrate that there is power in numbers," said first-time attendee, Chandra Barnett.
Barnett was accompanied by her two children, aged 3 and 4, to whom she explained the event was to show support for people who've been hurt in their lives.
"We're going to go walk with them and show that we love them," she told her kids.
For more information about Phoenix Rising and what it offers, please click here
