Auckland Take Back the Night Rally - November 1st

I suggest at the end of the march you hang Clint Rickards, no. 1 poster boy for NZ rape culture, in effigy (or otherwise).

I agree with Daniel. As men, we already have enough avenues and spaces for our own voices and domination to be heard (ie everyday!). So I think there is total value in women only events and spaces.

It's up to us as men challenge the kind of crap, sexist comments that have already shown up on this thread.

Jared D

I suggest that if men want to support wymmin and stand against sexism, patriachy and rape culture, how about organising mens actions where men openly challenge each other about our behaviours as men. After all it is men who overwelmingly are the perpertrators of violence and abuse in society, not only against wymmin but children and each other.
Al.

Heh. That should have been 1. then 2.
Oops :) How ironic.

Press Release

For immediate release

Night to Be Taken Back as a Safe Space for Women

Take Back the Night, a march and rally against violence and rape, will be held this Saturday, November 1st at 7pm. There will be a rally at Aotea Square at 7pm with speakers, food, and music, followed by a march up Queen Street to Basque Park off upper Symonds St.

Take Back the Night is a long-running international event that raises awareness of and bears witness to the violent crimes perpetrated against women, children, transgendered and intersexed persons everywhere. It is also an empowering opportunity for women to recognize their shared experiences and unite in the struggle for a world without violence.

"From being afraid to walk alone at night to being murdered by a spouse, women are subject to a range of violence from the street to the home. We are standing together to celebrate our strength and call for an end to rape and violence," said Felicity Perry, one of the organizers of this year's Take Back the Night.

"The amount of violence in Aotearoa New Zealand is shocking. On average a woman is killed every six weeks by her (ex-)partner, and ten children are killed each year by a family member or members. In 2006, Women's Refuge received over 41,500 calls to their crisis line.[1] This brutality has got to stop," said Perry.

"For survivors and those who face the threat of violence, this march is a reminder that they are not alone" Felicity Perry said. "We call for women, children, takaatapui, fafafine, transgendered and intersexed persons to join us in taking back the night."

Please note, men are asked not to attend this year's Take Back the Night. We understand that most men also want a world without rape and violence and we ask them to take this time to ask how they can best organize themselves to achieve this goal.

For further information, please email takebackthenightak@gmail.com

[1] Please see the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse Fact Sheets for further information on violence in New Zealand. On Gender Violence: http://www.nzfvc.org.nz/PublicationDetails.aspx?publication=14144, and on Family Violence: http://www.nzfvc.org.nz/PublicationDetails.aspx?publication=13955

^^^

That's a far cry from the number of rape and abused women in our society, I have to say. And male dominance doesn't start or end in the Family court — everyday life (such as work, public space, private space, marrige, sex, relationships, religion, health, childbirth issues... I could go on) is structured in such a way that men end up with the most say or the most power in those structures, even if we don't know it.

Jared D

I'd say for this particular action, it may not be included, but that does not mean to say that what you mention is systematically ignored.

There's nothing stopping you or me to take action against those issues, and I suggest in the future we should — but for now can't we support this particular action for what it is, and what they are addressing? Otherwise you comments just fall into reaction.

Jared D
Otautahi Mens Hui

...and someone please bring a dictionary.
love and solidarity
Samuel Webster