Take Back the Night

by Cristal A. Pinnix
Exchange Staff Writer

     April 17^th through 19^th  Franklin Pierce's Gay/Straight Alliance Club held an array of activities around campus for the Take Back the Night Rally.

     Take Back the Night is a international rally and march that is organized in local communities with the purpose of unifying women, men, and children in an awareness of violence against women, children and families. The event is a collaboration of communities, campuses and other interested people who want to take a stand against violence.

   "This event definitely brings the issue of abuse to the forefront, it's educational and a nice tribute to women who have suffered abuse," said  Franklin Pierce senior and guest speaker Kaitlyn Llewellyn.

     The rally, hosted by the GSA, was presented Wednesday April 19^th  from 4pm to 8pm in the courtyard between the library and Peterson Hall. The event featured various speeches from faculty, staff, and students, as well as a dance performed by Sistuhs.

     Throughout the week there were tables set up outside the campus center featuring an opportunity by the GSA for students and faculty to participate in the Take Back the Night Week. Students were encouraged to add their handprint to a banner that would be held during the march. The hand-prints represent a vow made by individuals to not use their hands in violence against another individual.

     The other table was filled with blank white t-shirts for students and faculty to write their story if they have ever been a victim of abuse or violence, or know of anyone that has. The t-shirts will be put on display on a clothesline in the campus center after the Take Back the Night rally. There were also cardboard cut-outs of "Silent Witnesses"  who have been victims of domestic violence on display between the Library Courtyard and Peterson Hall.

     "I think Take Back the Night is a great way to raise awareness about violence and I can't wait to participate in the events," said sophomore Richard Miles.

     Although there are students that are enthusiastic about the events, there are still a few that feel that there is not enough being done to inform and bring more awareness of what the event is about to the students of the college.

     "Take Back the Night is a good idea, but I wish there was more support and awareness about what it actually is about so people know what was going on," said Junior Jessica Fantini. "I don't think that the campus has been well informed of why there is a Take Back the Night rally or what it actually is for. Because of this I don't think it will have a huge effect on the campus and that's a shame."

     According to Llewellyn there has been more participation from the campus this year than there has in years past.