‘Yes means yes, and no means no’: Hundreds gather in Manchester to Reclaim the Night

On Thursday 21st November, hundreds of students gathered at the University of Manchester Students’ Union, braving snow and hail for the annual Reclaim the Night march.

The march, which has grown in popularity in Manchester over the past few years, seeks to address gender-based violence, and to reclaim public spaces as safe for all women and marginalised genders.

With soggy handmade signs in hand, the group – made up of students from both UoM and MMU – began its 1.3 mile march down Oxford Road. Chanting slogans like: “Whose streets? Our streets.” and “Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes, and no means no,” they were met with honks of solidarity from passing cars, and smiles from bystanders watching from shop windows.

This year’s march culminated in a rally within the amphitheatre of Great Northern Square, where a group of influential speakers addressed the crowd.

These included the SU’s Wellbeing and Liberation Officer, Aisha Akram, the UoM Trans Association Chair, Jess Watson, two members from Black Girl Space, and the MMU Wellbeing Officer. Their speeches emphasised the importance of trans inclusion, and intersectionality.

In particular, Black Girl Space highlighted the increased risk many women face as victims of both racial and sexual discrimination. This focus on intersectionality was echoed by Akram who said: “Your feminism needs to be intersectional; you can’t just fight for the rights of one specific race of women.”

Reflecting on global issues, she then led a minute’s silence for those affected by ongoing occupations and conflicts in Palestine, Sudan, and the Congo.

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Reclaim the Night originated in Leeds in 1977, when around 150 women gathered to protest sexual violence, and to reclaim their right to feel safe in public spaces, particularly at night time. The Manchester branch of the movement has grown in popularity over the past few years, and has evolved to take a more intersectional approach.

This year, while promoting the original principles, it had three new aims:

1. Make the 142 and 111 student bus routes 24 hours a day. Have wardens on board after 10pm to guarantee passenger safety.
2. Ensure student employers in the city guarantee safe transport home after a late-night shift.
3. Make the women’s night-time safety charter inclusive of trans people.

The night ended with speakers instructing the crowd to email Andy Burnham, Manchester’s mayor, demanding change.

A copy of the night’s speeches are available to download from the Manchester Student Union website here.