Students participate in feminist rally

Approximately 60 people gathered on Friday evening at a candlelight vigil to promote awareness of violence against women.

"We see violence against women... and we're not going to let it go by," sophomore and coordinator Lisa Gabbai said at the beginning of the event, known as "Take Back the Night."

Laura Cote from the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center recited statistics on sexual violence and said that the rate of sexual assault is especially high on college campuses: for every 1,000 college students, 35 students are victims of rape or attempted rape during one academic year.

TUPD Lieutenant Sonia Rodrigues Chin reminded students of TUPD's resources and to be aware. "Your number one self-defense is your mind," she said. "Education is the key."

Dean of Students Bruce Reitman encouraged students to speak to their class deans if they want to talk to someone.

Women's Center director Peggy Barrett spoke about the responsibility to end violent messages that are spread on this campus.

She commended the gathered students for their involvement with the evening's event. "This is a step, this is important, and I'm glad you are doing this," Barrett said.

The a capella group Essence sang and candles were lit in memory of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or other forms of violence against women. A march around campus with chants of "take back the night!" concluded the rally.

The event was sponsored by Tufts Feminist Alliance. Take Back the Night is an international rally and march; the first one held in the US was in San Francisco in 1978. The tradition of the rally dates back to even before the inception of the TFA, according to Gabbai.

by Amanda Mu?±oz