The college will join groups around the world protesting violence against women in its first Take Back the Night march and rally starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the  Chapel.

“This is an exciting step for Bates College and the Lewiston-Auburn community,” says the event organizer, Bates senior Kirstin McCarthy of Cranston, R.I. “Bringing Take Back the Night here provides an opportunity for voices to be heard, and encourages people to stand together to break the silence surrounding violence against women.”

Held annually in many communities in the United States and abroad, Take Back the Night uses a rally and march to raise awareness about sexual and domestic violence and to make it plain that such violence, or violence of any kind, should not be tolerated.

The event begins with a keynote address in the Chapel by Noelle Roop. A recent graduate of Regis College, Roop will speak about her own experience in an abusive relationship and subsequent rape. She co-founded PROUD (People Reaching Out Understanding Diversity), an organization focused on education on issues of sexual and gender diversity, women’s issues, abuse and sexual assault.

A march through the Bates campus and Lewiston community follows, beginning at the Chapel, proceeding down College Street and other roads near campus, and concluding on the terrace of the George and Helen Ladd Library. The event concludes with an open mic for speakers and a candlelight vigil on the terrace.

Event sponsors are Bates Students Against Sexual Assault, the Bates Women’s Resource Center and the Representative Assembly, the College’s student government. For more information, please visit here.