to think there should be an MN presence at Reclaim the Night?

[ElephantsAndMiasmas]

On 27th November the annual Reclaim the Night march takes place in London. AIBU to think it'd be great to have a bunch of MNers (possibly with banner) walking together?

Details here

"A recent survey by the young women?s magazine More in 2005 found that 95% of women don?t feel safe on the streets at night, and 65% don?t even feel safe during the day. 73% worry about being raped and almost half say they sometimes don?t want to go out because they fear for their own safety.

In every sphere of life we negotiate the threat or reality of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment. We cannot claim equal citizenship while this threat restricts our lives as it does. We demand the right to use public space without fear. We demand this right as a civil liberty, we demand this as a human right.

The Reclaim The Night march gives women a voice and a chance to reclaim the streets at night on a safe and empowering event. We aim to put the issue of our safety on the agenda for this night and every day."

AIBU?

YANBU

Btw the Big Christmas MN meet is on the 27th November

Details here

Oops, I should have said the relevance being it's being held in London iirc. A ready made, if slightly inebriated mn presence

Ah perfect - everyone can come along to this first then? :o

Now I know everyone will be in London there's no excuse!

Do MNers drink bacardi in their rooms before they go out then like me scuzzy students?

theres another thread on RTN...

I've seen the others, but I really want to know if IABU to want to see an official MN group.

No idea

I have to confess thinking that the 'Reclaim the night' event was late at night, don't know why. I really must switch my brain on sometime

Sorry meant to say - it's at 6pm

Why don't we all go on the walk before the big meet up?

I'm in.

Was more wondering what people think about MN supporting it? Would love to get some opinions and then ask MNHQ.

I can't see any reason why doing it officially as MN would be a bad thing (although MNHQ would have to give it the thumbs up) - it's not as though MN doesn't enjoy a huge public profile and MN does campaign on various issues already, like the let girls be girls campaign.

BTW have linked to this thread from the Christmas meet-up thread so other MNers can see it - even if MNHQ decide that they don't want us to do it under an MN banner, we could go by ourselves anyway...

good idea - I would love the whole nest of vipers to come really

well I feel I'm getting off quite lightly here - was expecting a least a visit from the antisanta "nooo all women are liars" brigade. :)

I like the idea that one group of MNers will be reclaiming the streets for women by marching, another group will be doing it the same night by reeling around pissed in the streets trying to find their hotels.

given that RTN is partly about the right of women to reel around pissed in the streets without getting assaulted, raped, harassed or anything else, it all seems beautifully appropriate

absolutely SSM :o

We're going to get really tired arms if it's just me and Zombie though

I want to come.

Can I stand with you?

how many men don't feel safe at night on London streets? Statistically I thought they were actually more at risk of being attacked, whilst worrying less about it...is the march for women only or can anyone attend?

the main march is for women and children, and there is a special one for men who support it, organised by The London Profeminist Men's Group, details on the main Reclaim the Night page

depends STBW - how are your biceps? :o

I'm hoping there'll be lots of people and we can all stand together.

Yes, statistically men are more at risk of attack. ( and always have been )

It's never been 100% safe to walk around at night on your own, ( or even in groups sometimes) & nothing will ever change that.

The march is a total waste of time.

Oh and STBW - it's not scary, it's lovely. Last year there was a big all-women band at the front. Plus there is a surrounding of police if that helps?

But I'm sure it will pass a few hours for feminists with nothing better to do....

Ah dp I knew you'd be along sooner or later. Yes plenty of men get attacked on the streets. The key is, that they are being attacked in nearly every circumstance by other men. This specific march is to protest at the fact that women experience loads of violence on the streets, from men.

If men want to organise a march protesting about their experience of violence from other men, or about the police's disdainful attitude to them, I would be happy to support them. Two male friends were beaten up by a group of men as teenagers, one of them is still hesitant about going out late at night on his own.

But this particular march is organised by women, for women (although all welcome at the party afterwards) to protest about sexual violence, and the lack of justice for rape victims. The 70+ victims of John Worboys many of whom went to the police and were ignored and laughed at, for instance. Things could be different.