MORE than 150 people took to the streets of Worcester for a march taking a stand against violence towards women.
The annual Reclaim the Night march took place on Thursday night, (December 7).
It was led by a Samba band and saw women and men come together to make a noise chanting “What do we want? Safe streets.
"When do we want them? Now.”
This year’s event was co-organised by West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC) with West Mercia Women’s Aid, Out2gether, Joy Project and UNISON.
Jocelyn Anderson, WMRSASC’s chief executive officer, spoke at the event thanking everyone who braved the cold and dark despite many national marches being cancelled due to the weather.
“This march has its roots in history – first launched in Leeds in 1977 as a protest to the curfew imposed on women to stay home after dark to avoid being murdered by the Yorkshire Ripper," the CEO said.
"Here we are 46 years later still protesting.
“For too long we have blamed women and girls for the abuse and harassment they experience; women are told what they shouldn’t wear, what they shouldn’t drink, where they shouldn’t walk, how they should behave and what time they should stay out until.
"It’s time to place the blame on those who perpetrate violence and for all of us to challenge them.”
Sue Coleman, chief executive officer of West Mercia Women’s Aid, also spoke and specifically thanked the many men who turned out to show support and paid tribute to Professor Benjamin Zephaniah.
Prof Zephaniah, whose death was announced on the morning of the march, paid for a women’s refuge to be opened in Birmingham and was an advocate through his poetry for oppressed minorities.
The march started at Angel Place at 7pm and made its way along the High Street, circling the Elgar Statue and ending up along New Street before returning to Angel Place.
Bottles Wine Bar on New Street hosted an after-party featuring an open mic night which went late into the evening.
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