Hundreds of Winnipeggers march to end violence against women
"I want us to really recognize the different levels of violence," organizer Bre Woligroski says.
Women should not be afraid on Winnipeg streets: that was the message that brought hundreds of Winnipeggers together Thursday evening.
Marchers made their way through the North End for the annual Take Back the Night rally calling for an end to violence against women.
"I want us to really recognize the different levels of violence," organizer Bre Woligroski told CBC News. "There's a lot of ways to make women feel small and to make women disappear in society."
Woligroski said beyond physical and sexual violence, protestors are calling for an end to body-shaming, cat-calling and the various other ways women are victimized.
"I was in Osborne walking by myself a few years ago and someone asked me if I want to get raped that night" Woligroski said. "Even though there was no physical action taken it made me feel really unsafe ... and that's what Take Back the Night is fighting against."
The Mama Bear Clan, a local street patrol group, led marchers from the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre up and down several North End streets.
Molly Cross attended with friends. As a victim of domestic violence she said taking part in the rally was important.
"I think it's important to sort of get back in touch with the fact that there are people out there who feel the way that you do sometimes and there are people who want to make changes," Cross said. "It helps you to not feel so helpless."
The Take Back the Night rally began in the 1970's and has become a global movement.