October 2007
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owner.  No
reproduction
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consent.

Calgary Takes Back the Night

by Kirk Ramdath

If you happened to be around the beltline on September 15, 2007, you might have encountered police blockades and
thousands of women marching, chanting, and beating drums on the street.  Restaurant patrons poked their heads
out of the windows to see what was going on.  Some were confused and this uncommon demonstration happening
right on the streets of Calgary, but many others clapped or cheered in support.  This was Calgary’s Take Back the
Night.

Take Back the Night (sometimes called “Reclaim the Night”) marches originated in Rome in 1976 when 10,000
women marched in reaction to reported rapes reaching the astronomical figure of 16,000 per year.  From there the
movement grew to include marches in Germany and England in 1977.  The marches in England were a direct
response to the “Ripper Murders” happening at that time, which led to women being advised to stay indoors.  Women
marched to protest this advice and the idea that it was more acceptable for women to limit their freedom of mobility
than it was for a society to make its streets safe for women.  Women demanded, “the right to move freely in their
communities day and night without harassment and sexual assault.”

Take Back the Night challenges the curfew mentality imposed on half of the population, telling women that they
should not go to certain places or wear certain things because such actions increase the chance of sexual assault.  
The march reclaims the street to symbolize a rejection of existing beliefs that women should be careful who they
speak to and not walk alone at night… or else. Such warnings restrict the freedom of action and motion of women
and deflect responsibility for male violence away from men onto women. Thus, women are made to be responsible
for their own victimization, and proposed solutions such as telling women “stay inside” reinforce that idea while not
tackling the challenge of ending male violence against women, or of making a society that is generally safer overall.

While the marches started out specifically in response to violence against women, the umbrella of Take Back the
Night has grown to include related issues such as the need for social and legal reform, the need to end poverty, and
for other legislated changes at every political level.  

The Calgary march saw thousands of women of every age come out to reclaim the streets, with many men marching
alongside in solidarity.  Take Back the Night Calgary was led by  F.A.R.O.U.T., a group of radical cheerleaders who
kept the crowd pumped with chants such as “However we dress, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no!”  
Many of my female friends who live downtown have suggested that it no longer feels like a safe place to walk at night.  
The Calgary boom has brought more danger to Calgary's streets.  The time has never been more right to Take Back
the Night.
Interview with Erin
Legare, F.A.R.O.U.T.
radical cheerleader,
followed by scenes
from Take Back the
Night, Calgary,
Alberta, September
15, 2007.