Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Town Square in Leeds for the 44th annual Reclaim The Night protests, advocating for safer streets for women.
The first Reclaim The Night protest took place in 1977, objecting police advice that women should “stay off the streets” following the notorious Yorkshire Ripper murders of 13 women.
Originally inspired by news from Germany, over 300 women in Leeds marched for an organisation prominent over 40 years later.
Protesters walked from Woodhouse Moor to the Town Square in Leeds holding signs reading “97%”, a reference to a new survey conducted in which 97% of women have reported to have been sexually harassed.
Over four decades on, Reclaim The Night are questioning if too little is happening in order to prevent a recent rise in spiking incidents alongside the murders of young women including Sarah Everard and Sabrina Nessa.
Speakers Marvina Eseoghene Newton, the founder of Black Lives Matter Leeds, and Miranda Arieh, a public speaker and mental health coach, also shared their experiences with the Reclaim The Night movement onlooking a crowd of 300 people at the Town Square.
The public speaking was followed by one minute of noise, including anti-patriarchal chants
The organisation also included an organised night event ‘Reclaim The Dancefloor’, in which protesters were able to safely enjoy their night, without the risk of spiking.
Reclaim The Night believe “march gives women a voice and a chance to reclaim the streets at night on a safe and empowering event.”
Despite beginning in Leeds, the protests have expanded across the country, including cities such as Manchester, York, Brighton and London.
Reclaim The Night have an active presence on social media, organising other events and non-profit fundraisers, so supporters can keep up to date with the most recent happenings.
The organisation has shared that they have a “momentous 45th anniversary next year.”
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