LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A march and candlelight vigil at the University of Louisville will be part of a Sept. 29 event aimed at preventing violence against women.
“Take Back the Night” will begin at 6:15 p.m. outside U of L’s Red Barn with music, speeches, performances and a community agency information fair, said Sharon LaRue, director of the PEACC program at U of L. Musician Heidi Howe will perform and Tina Ward-Pugh, Louisville Metro Councilwoman, will be keynote speaker.
A march around the perimeter of campus will begin at 7:30 p.m. and end back at the Red Barn, followed by a survivor “speak out” session dedicated to slain U of L student Elaine Fonseca Rodriquez. During the march, a workshop for men will focus on preventing violence against men and supporting women who have been victims of violence, LaRue said.
Downtown organizations and individuals can take part in a “feeder march” that will begin at 5 p.m. at the Center for Women and Families, 226 W. Breckenridge, and continue south along Third Street to U of L. Return transportation will be provided for feeder march participants.
A local alliance began observing Take Back the Night in 1990 based on an international tradition that began in 1976. The Louisville event is cosponsored by the PEACC program, Center for Women and Families, U of L’s Student Activities Board and U of L’s Women’s Center.
“The evening march and vigil symbolize the ability of women to reclaim the streets, rather than to remain passive in the face of violence,” LaRue said.