For the third time, the University of Suffolk Students’ Union will be organising the Reclaim the Night march from Ipswich Waterfront to the town centre.
For the third time, the University of Suffolk Students’ Union will be organising the Reclaim the Night march from Ipswich Waterfront to the town centre.
The event will take place on Wednesday 25th November, to coincide with the ‘16 days of activism’ and the start of the national White Ribbon Campaign, highlighting the issue of violence against women and girls.
The march is open to any members of the public and university students and staff who would like to take part. There will also be the opportunity to visit information stands from local organisations supporting women and girls, and to make banners for the march.
Approximate timings for the event are:
3:30-5:30pm - Banner making and stalls in the Waterfront Foyer of the University of Suffolk. Organisations involved include Iris, Future Female Society and Survivors in Transition, and there will be some refreshments kindly provided by the Co-Op
5:50pm - speeches to introduce the event, from Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, and Ruby Harrison Bannister, Students’ Union Women’s Officer, and a fun warm-up led by Yogability
6:15pm – march from the Waterfront to Ipswich Cornhill
7:00pm – arrival at the town hall. There will be speeches from Zoe Saunders, Students’ Union President of Activities & Wellbeing, and Councillor Pat Bruce-Browne, Mayor of Ipswich, and the event will close with a candlelit vigil, led by Students’ Union CEO Dionne Walton, to remember all those women and girls who have been victims of gender-based violence.
Once the vigil is concluded, people are invited to walk back together to the University and disperse from there.
Zoe Saunders, Students’ Union President of Activities & Wellbeing, said: “I feel privileged to be part of this year’s Reclaim the Night march in Ipswich. Having attended the march for the past three years, I know how important it is that we continue to come together, raise awareness and stand united against gender-based violence.”
She added: “Reclaim the Night is just as important today as it has ever been. Gender-based violence remains a serious issue affecting individuals and communities across the country, and creating meaningful change requires all of us to challenge harmful attitudes, inequalities and behaviours. We all have a part to play in building a society where everyone feels safe, respected and free from violence.”
The march route will be along the waterfront, St Peter’s Street, St Nicholas Street, Queen Street, Princes Street to the Cornhill. Please note – under 18s are welcome at the event, but should be accompanied by an adult.