‘Respect Our Voices’ theme for Take Back the Night march and rally set for Thursday

MACOMB, Ill. — The annual “Take Back the Night” march and rally at Western Illinois University will begin at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, beginning at Sherman Hall and proceeding to Chandler Park, just north of Macomb’s downtown square.

The event is the culmination of a week of activities by WIU’s Women’s Center. The rally is held to increase awareness of — and seek an end to — sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking and other forms of sexual and power-based interpersonal violence, as well as to remember and honor victims and survivors. This year’s theme is “Respect Our Voices.”

“Take Back the Night is a movement more than it is a march. It provides survivors the opportunity to take something meaningful away with them, including a sense of community, the opportunity to acknowledge their pain, and a stage from which to demand change and a night of solidarity that they may never forget,” Women’s Center graduate assistant Damilola Abiodun-Adewusi said in a press release.

Other events planned are:

• Monday, Oct. 24, 1-4 p.m.: Clothesline Project and T-Shirt Making in the Women’s Center Lounge and Multipurpose Room, dance studio
• Tuesday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Informational Tabling for Take Back the Night plus Paint and Sip event in MCC Multipurpose Room
• Wednesday, Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m.: Survivor Support Social (Community Take Back) in Multipurpose Room MCC

“It is essential for us to stick together and take a stand against interpersonal violence,” Women’s Center graduate assistant Asia Billingslea said. “We are encouraging survivors to send a message to the world that they are stronger than their biggest trials and tribulations.”

Staff from the University Counseling Center will be available at the march and rally to provide support.

Part of the Women’s Center’s mission is to promote opportunities to celebrate women, collaborate in programming and outreach and seek unity and understanding.

The TBTN Committee is seeking assistance from the public and student organizations to assist the event by way of a financial contribution, or a gift-in-kind, to help buy carrying candles, cups and light sticks and cover the costs of publicity, program booklets, sound services, transportation, safety information and other costs related to the event.

People interested in helping can visit bit.ly/3e394UM.

For more information about the Women’s Center, visit wiu.edu/wc.