The violence must stop! That is the message of Cal State Northridges Take Back the Night, a rally that publicly confronts the sexual violence against women, men and children.
The event, scheduled to take place Thursday, Feb. 25, from 6 to 10 p.m., will start at the Plaza del Sol in the University Student Union, off of Zelzah Ave., and make its way across campus to The Womens Center located at 18356 Halsted St.
The rally offers an opportunity for survivors of violence to give voice to their experience and publicly affirm their transition from victim to survivor. The event will feature speakers, music, spoken word, poster making and the Clothesline Project.
Take Back the Night speaks to people across the board, regardless of gender, race, class, sexuality or ability, said Shira Brown, director of the Womens Research and Resource Center. With sponsorship from clubs, organizations and departments throughout campus, its evident that the problem of violence against women is not just a female problem, but a problem for everyone.
Speakers for the evening include Lindsey Horvath, West Hollywood Councilmember; Bamby Salcedo, who will speak on the transgender female experience; Melanie Klein, who will share her survivor story; and Yazmin Watkins, a spoken word artist.
Candles will be lit to commemorate victims of violence. At 7:30 p.m. the march to the Womens Center will commence. Once at the Womens Center, there will be an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m.
The Clothesline Project is a visual display that bears witness to the violence against all people. The Clothesline Project comprises T-shirts designed by survivors of abuse and those who have lost loved ones to it. At the rally attendees will be asked to donate new or gently used bras that will then be given to The Bra Recyclers, who will distribute them to domestic violence survivors.
The first Take Back the Night event was held in Germany in 1973. The goal is to change the mindset of those ashamed of their rape, those who blame the victim, those who feel that violence against women, men and children is not that common, and those that dont care.
As long as this problem persists, our community is broken, said Brown. Take Back the Night allows us to come together to publicly denounce violence in our community, and begin to rebuild.
The event is being sponsored by Womens Research & Resource Center, Gender & Womens Studies Student Association, Gender & Womens Studies Department, Center for Sex & Gender Research, VDAY, Gamma Rho Lambda, Project Date, Queer Studies Student Association, MECHA, CAUSA, Lambda Theta Alpha, Zeta Beta Tau, and LGBTA.
For more information, contact Shira Brown at (818) 677-2780 or by e-mail at [email protected].