Belleville’s downtown shook with the sound of chanting on Thursday evening as nearly 100 people took part in the Take Back the Night rally and march.
The crowd gathered in Market Square to spread awareness of sexual abuse and gender-based violence against women. The group held a brief rally in Market Square, hearing the stories of survivors, before departing on a march through the downtown area.
Jessica McCoy, a survivor of sexual abuse, spoke to the assembled crowd about her story and her experience. She said that it was time to stop sweeping sexual violence under the rug.
“My story was about really sweeping things under the rug and that’s what my family did my entire life,” said McCoy. “No more secrets and no more allowing people to think that it’s okay for these god awful things to go on.”
After the rally, the group began their march. They started down Front Street, before turning up Victoria, and then on to Pinnacle Street, to return to Market Square where they started. The group chanted slogans as they went, demanding safe streets and an end to sexual violence and violence against women.
Nearly 100 protesters march down Front Street, calling for safer streets and an end to sexual violence against women. Photo: Alan-Michael Steele, Quinte News
Upon returning to Market Square, they held a brief vigil for victims of sexual violence.
