[van-announce] Take Back the Night in Vancouver

[Suzanne Jay]

Take Back the Night organizing has advanced 
considerably over the last few weeks and we now have an exciting update.
The Take Back the Night poster can be viewed at www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca

Women - what would you do your local city park at 
nighttime if there were no male violence?

Would you:
    * Run
    * Walk
    * Jog
    * Star gaze
    * Work out
    * Yoga
    * Breast-feed
    * Tango
    * Read poetry
    * Create music
    * ???? imagine ????

Over the past few years there have been several 
acts of sexualized violence on women in Stanley 
Park. 
(<http://www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/issues/stanley_park_attacks.html>http://www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/issues/stanley_park_attacks.html).
Women are repeatedly told to restrict how and 
when we use the park particularly at night - we 
are tired of it and are taking action.

On Friday September 16th women from all over the 
city will meet at Stanley Park, Lost Lagoon 
(Chilco and Alberni) at 7.30pm to create some 
freedom for us to use our park whichever which 
way we want. Women will work together allow us to 
enjoy our community park at nighttime.

Feminist action creates freedom for women
How Can I Participate and be Effective in Stopping Rape in Stanley Park?

    * Imagine how you would use the park at night 
if there were no male violence and then organize 
that activity ­ ask your girlfriends and other 
women in your community to join you eg. If you 
run and you are a member of a running group ask 
them to come run in the park with you. If you are 
a mom with a stroller ask other moms with 
strollers to come walk with you that night.
    * Join the postering and flyering team to promote the night.
    * Join the lantern making workshops to illuminate pockets of the park
    * Assist with the stage set up and take down
    * Join the first aid team
    * Volunteer to push a wheel chair for another women participant
    * Or simply come on the night with your women 
friends and join in one of the many acts of joyful resistance already organized

Call Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter at 
604.872.8212 to sign up for any of the above or to find out more information.
Free Childcare available ­ phone to register 604.872.8212
Sign Language Interpretation for some of the 
night and most of the park is wheel chair accessible.

Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter is a 
member of the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres
www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca