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 streets tomorrow night in solidarity with making the streets safe for women and the rainbow community to walk without fear of male violence.

Organised and lead 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.

The march was organised following the brutal murder of North Shore woman Blessie Gotingco who disappeared while walking home from a bus stop in May this year.

Auckland Feminist Action spokesperson, Anita Lacey says: “We all have the right to be free of the fear of violence. We are taking back the night on August 29 in the spirit of taking back the street each day and night for women, children, the queer community, and the homeless; all of us who are subject to male violence or the threat of male violence.”

Ms Lacey explained that while no statistics are kept on violence against the Rainbow Community in New Zealand we know it is a problem. “Just last week in Wellington a group of homophobic men returned to a gay bar they had entered earlier by mistake, hurled hate abuse at the patrons and starting a fight which left the bar manager with several cuts to his head.”

“This march is both a commemoration of the violence experienced each day by members of our community, but also a celebration of what is possible – safe and
inclusive homes, workplaces AND streets!”

Speakers at the Rally:

Marama Davidson - Te Wharepora Hou

Meg Rayner-Thomas - Feminist Action

Kathryn McPhillips - HELP; support for sexual abuse survivors

Kim McGregor - Rape Prevention Education

Suman Ramavat - Shakti Asian Women's Support Group

Kiran Foster - a founder of Support our Survivors

Levi Joule - AUSA Queer Rights Officer

Jennifer Shields - Campus Feminist Collective and trans advocate

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