Perth women reclaim the night

Perth women reclaim the night

By Mary Nielson

PERTH — Approximately 2000 women gathered at Claremont Park on Bayview Terrace on the evening of October 31 for the annual Reclaim the Night rally and march. This was a significant turnout in comparison to last year's rally, which attracted 150 women.

The rally opened with a minute's silence for the Aboriginal land which the rally was held upon.

The march began and finished on Bayview Terrace, where three women had gone missing and subsequently been murdered over the past two years.

When the march reached the Continental Hotel, on the corner of Bayview Terrace and Stirling Highway, it stopped for a minute's silence in respect for the three women.

Members of the public in the hotel, patrons in neighbouring cafes and the men who had been lining the streets cheered and clapped along with the women's chants. The procession then continued back to Claremont Park for more speakers, entertainment and an open microphone.

From GLW issue 297