Sophie Lambert: April 15, 2010: Take Back The Night

Morningside heights was taken by storm last night (April 15, 2010) by more than one thousand members of the community in an annual march to end sexual violence called "Take Back the Night." It was not unusual to see Barnard and Columbia students take to the street for a cause they believed in -- social and political protests are ubiquitous on the university's upper west side campus in NYC. Led by Barnard College and Columbia University students, the two hour march circumambulated the main Barnard and Columbia campuses and ultimately cut across College Walk to return to the Barnard Gates where a safe-space speakout would ensue.

A march with this many people could only mean one thing for the Columbia community -- that there were lots of CU Security and NYPD present. NYPD cars essentially led the march -- one car at the forefront, several cars around the periphery of the marchers, and several cars in the back. As the march pervaded main streets and was not confined to any sidewalks, NYPD were also required to block off entire streets. New York traffic, especially city cabbies, must have been irritated. During the march, student leaders held megaphones and led chants such as "Hey, hey, ho, ho, sexual violence has got to go," "University silence perpetuates the violence," "Rape is a felony, even with CUID" and "What do we want? Safe Streets! When do we want them? Now." The community had a good turnout at the event from all kinds of student clubs and organizations, including the sororities on campus like Kappa Alpha Theta. Several organizations also displayed painted banners hanging on their brownstones with messages such as "IRC supports Take Back The Night" (Intercultural Resource Center) and "SigEp (hearts) TBTN" (Sigma Phi Epsilon).

At the end of the march, students could enjoy hot tea and bagles at Barnard and then enter a dark gym that was covered with blankets to evoke a supportive campfire scene; in the dark safe space, students could anonymously speak out about their own experience with sexual abuse. After someone would speak, the rest of the students were encouraged to say things like "we support you."

People in the streets who were not marching and cheering were either extra security guards or media; the event had ample media coverage. "Take Back The Night" tee shirts are available for five dollars and "Break the Silence: Report Sexual Violence 854-HELP" rape wistles were also given out to all participators.

The march cuts across Columbia's College Walk.