"Take Back the Night" march & rally at UIS calls for an end to violence against women

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield and Lincoln Land Community College will hold the sixth annual “Take Back the Night” march & rally.

WHEN: Friday, April 19, 2013 beginning at 7 p.m. (March starts at 7:40 p.m.)

WHERE: The candlelight march will start near the colonnade on the UIS main quad and progress towards the Lincoln Residence Hall (LRH) & Founders Residence Hall (FRH) courtyard where the rally will be held. In the event of rain, the rally will be held in the LRH Greatroom.

DETAILS: “Take Back the Night” protests rape and all forms of violence against women. This event empowers women and all people to reclaim their right to be part of the night and the human experience of nighttime. “Take Back the Night” will include survivor stories, music, poetry and t-shirts for students who arrive early.

The Clothesline Project and 10 Paper Cranes for Healing the Violence will be on display in the LRH & FRH courtyard. The Clothesline Project is made up of t-shirts telling women’s stories. The paper cranes are dedicated to victims/survivors and include a healing word and bell. A pledge by UIS men to end violence against women will also be on display.

Following the rally, the second annual JAMnesty benefit featuring live bands and food will begin in the LRH Greatroom. All donations will benefit the advancement of girl’s education in the Global South.

“Take Back the Night” is co-sponsored by UIS Residence Life, the UIS Women’s Issues Caucus, LLCC Feminist Activist Coalition, and the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. Partial funding was provided by the UIS Student Government Association.

For more information on “Take Back the Night”, contact the UIS Women’s Center at 217/206-7173 or womenscenter@uis.edu.