Tonight in Sheffield, a Reclaim the Night March is taking place in solidarity with women and girls across the city and beyond to protest for their safety in public spaces, particularly at night.
360Wire’s Amara Keeling and Kate Nicholls are reporting from the event.
9:25pm: The University of Sheffield Liberations Officer announced they are hosting a ‘cool down session’ for attendees to make bracelets, get refreshments, and relax after the protest.
9:23pm: All speeches have now ended and the event is being packed away.
Other speakers included Avis Azari (Gender Equity Councillor at the University of Sheffield), Chloe Wallace (One Source HR), Alia (founder of women’s only gym Her Timeout), and Jade Wade (co-founder of Sheffield Women’s Collective).
9:21pm: Last to speak tonight is Sarah, an activist and the founder of Sisterhood in Solidarity.
Sarah said: “‘We deserve to be safe no matter what we wear, no more excuses from men, no more blaming women for the violence done for us. We demand a world where every woman, every marginalised person, every LGBTQ+ person is able to walk through the night without fear.”
Watch some of her speech here.
9:07pm: One speech was given by Emily Heather, a teacher and the Equalities Officer for the National Education Trust.
Ms Heather told the crowd about the concern of misogyny within schools.
Watch a snippet of her speech here.
8:48pm: Debs Grayson, who led the choir, spoke with 360 Wire.
She said: “I think it feels really powerful to walk through the streets on a Saturday night and be shouting about being feminists and wanting to reclaim the streets, and encountering even some of that violence.”
Watch more of the interview here.
8:44pm: Speeches have now begun.
One of the co-founders of Sheffield Women’s Collective spoke about historical violence, mainly mentioning the Yorkshire Ripper. After reading out the names of the Ripper’s victims, she said: “they are the ones at the heart of this movement, and we will carry on their legacy”.
8:36pm: A choir has come together during the protest and made a song.
A spokesperson from the group said: “That was a group of people that didn’t know each other before tonight, and came together to sing a song.”
8:26pm: The march has arrived at Devonshire Green and a choir is expected to perform soon.
8:24pm: The stewards have intervened with the motorcyclist and now the crowd have moved out of the road and onto the pavement.
Stewards are reminding the crowd to be safe and ‘let the traffic through’.
8:21pm: The march is now nearing its end destination of Devonshire Green.
A motorcyclist is revving its engine and being threatening behind the protesters.
8:05pm: Earlier this evening our reporters spoke with Jade Wade, a campaigner and the co-founder of Sheffield Women’s Collective.
Ms Wade said: “We have got to change the epidemic that is violence against women and girls.”
Watch more of the interview here.
7:49pm: People have begun calling out well-known political figures and celebrities such as Nigel Farage, Kier Starmer, Andrew Tate, and Tommy Robinson.
The leader is speaking through a megaphone and shouting: “Tommy Robinson shame on you. You’re a ****** sexist too.”
7:47pm: Sheffield Women’s Collective are leading the front of the march with a banner.
The crowd has started chanting “hey hey, ho ho, the patriarchy’s got to go”. As well as “whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no”.
7:44pm: Protesters are now marching on the road heading towards the city centre on Ecclesall Road. Cars are continuing to honk.
7:38pm: Cars are honking as protesters walk by. Some people are clapping from their cars.
Phrases being shouted are: “this is what a feminist looks like” and “the patriarchy has got to go”.
7:31pm: The march has officially begun. The end destination is Devonshire Green in the city centre.
7:30pm: Sheffield Women’s Collective are hosting tonight’s event.
7:24pm: The lead steward is giving a briefing regarding the safety of the event and informing the crowd of their rights. Protesters have been told to say ‘no comment’ to the police and other relevant organisations.
7:01pm: Attendees have arrived with home-made signs. One sign reads: “Strong women don’t have ‘attitudes’. We have standards”. Another says: “Silence = Compliance”.
6:58pm: Organisers have handed out cards containing ‘advice on arrest’ and legal recommendations.
6:57pm: People are handing out glow sticks and whistles amongst the crowd.
6:53pm: Crowds have started to gather at Endcliffe Park ready for the Reclaim the Night March, beginning at 7:00pm.
