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To the editor:

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Taking Back the Night participants

Thursday evening, June 19, 20 adults and children made their way from the Sussex train station to the library, Taking Back the Night.

I had been told (kindly, but firmly) not to expect anyone beyond our support group circle for an event like this. With that in mind, I was relieved when Women’s Support Group members started turning up for the event we had planned to protest violence against women in our community.

Then I noticed women with strollers standing on the sidewalk, chatting, and waiting. There was a man with children all on bikes; not eating ice-cream, not passing by, just waiting.

I greeted these folks and asked if they had come to walk with us and indeed they had.

At 7 p.m. we set out from the train station, walking, strolling and biking along. There was some chatting between groups while we walked and a consensus was quickly reached that this was much better than walking in the rain and cold of a fall evening.

Regret was expressed that there weren’t even more people out walking and by the time we stopped to turn around for the walk back, the Women’s Support Group members and the participants from the community had agreed that we should gather and walk again.

On Thursday, July 17 we will be gathering in front of the Sussex Train Station at 7 p.m. Ending violence against women isn’t an event; it’s a process that requires on-going attention and effort. So, rather than waiting until next year to walk, we will be walking again this month.

At the suggestion of those who attended in June, we will have an information sheet to hand out on July 17 at the train station. For those who choose not to walk but want to show their support, we will have purple ribbons available.

June 19 was a lovely night for a walk. We went down the street together, talking and enjoying the weather, very aware that none of us were frightened or hurt or alone. On July 17, we will walk again and think of the members of our community who are not safe on the streets or at home, in daylight or in darkness.

I hope you will join us. For further information e-mail: womens-supportgroup@ live.ca or call 435-0548.

Carol Gamblin