We’re back!

If anyone still reads this blog, then I thought people would like to know that the planning process for a Reclaim the Night March in March 09 (hopefully on International Women’s day) has begun.  If you want to get involved then you can email us on edinburghrtn08-at-googlemail.com.  We’ll hopefully be updating this blog about what we’re doing, to start us off I’ve copied the minutes from our last meeting below so that anyone who has any thoughts or suggestions on what we’re thinking about and doing can add comments.  Please do add something, we really want our organising process to include as many people as possible, so even if you aren’t able to make it along to meetings (though we would love you to come!), you can still contribute.

Marylou, Rachel and Allyson were at the meeting.

Points of Discussion:

We discussed the importance of being transparent and open about what we are doing in order to gain input from interested people who don’t have time to be fully part of the organising group, for example, putting discussion points on facebook.

Marylou is trying to network with various groups in Leith, in particular trying to think of ways to engage with groups of women from different ethnic groups. Perhaps we could translate our promotion materials into other languages.

Given the march is on International Women’s Day, it might be good to get a speaker from Amnesty International at the march to give us an insite into global violence against women.

We also discussed engaging with young people and elderly people. In particular the idea of going into schools to do assemblies and discussion groups about violence against women and RTN, hopefully in conjunction with Zero Tolerance.

We discussed our ideas about projects to run alongside the march, Marylou wants to organise an art project (perhaps pre-making bannters) and Rachel would like to put together a zine of other stories of the women of Edinburgh.

The bulk of discussion was about an event to be arranged for the end of September to promote the march, network with other groups and try and get more women involved with organising. Hopefully also do some fundraising. We decided:
- would be good to have a social evening, hopefully in the Drill Hall in Leith
- include music, cake, perhaps comedy, recruiting for us and info on violence against women and lots of networking. Any other fun creative things we can think of.
- Creche should be included.
- Best time may be late september to conside with uni’s going back. 

Action Points:
- Everyone should continue trying to network as much as they can with contacts they have.

For event:
- Marylou is going to find out when the best time would be in terms of uni terms and school holidays and then get in touch with the drill hall about dates.
- Rachel is going to email round our old publicity material so we can hopefully use the same logos for our publicity
- Allyson is going to begin investigating the logistics of organising this event, e.g. how to get cake, what fire safety and child protection things we would need.
- everyone in the group should be brain storming about potential activities and people we can invite. 
- Rachel is going to try and restart blog (reclaimthenightedinburgh.wordpress.com) to raise awareness, and get in touch with F-word about publicity once we have a date and time

For next meeting:
- Rachel is going to arrange with YWCA to be a key holder.
- we need to set a regular day and time, starting from next week, what day is best. We need to make this decision fast!

Groups we can possibly network with that we thought of at the meeting:
- Damn rebel bitches (at Tollcross community centre)
- Alternatives to Violence Project (to get in with the quaker granny mafia )
- Deaf Action
- Sikh Sanjog
- knitting and craft circles

Edinburgh Feminist Network New Blog

Watch this space for news about 2008’s reclaim the night march. In the meantime, come over to Edinburgh Feminist Network’s new blog for more info about what we’re up to..

www.edinburghfeministnetwork.wordpress.com

Where next?…

We hope you all enjoyed the march as much as we did, we really felt the atmosphere was incredible and the overall energy was one of fun as well as purpose.   The men’s discussion group was a huge success, with around 15 men joining to discuss how they can actively end violence against women, and from this they had the first Edinburgh White Ribbon group on Thursday night.   The rally was amazing and very moving, with Sandy Brindley and Iain Wallace speaking passionately about their role in ending violence against women. Women from EFN read survivor stories, an incredibly powerful reminder of the impact of rape and sexual violence and why we need to continue challenging the society in which rape occurs.   We decided that from now on our motto should be Yay! Feminism! as the march really reflected the passionate enthusiasm that all women have brought to EFN organising.   On Wednesday 24th October EFN will host the first of many organised discussion groups. This has been a fluid process so far with women from facebook and meetup coming to meetings and informally discussing issues we all face as women.   This week however, we will be hosting a discussion on “What does feminism mean to you-would you call yourself a feminist?” Which looks like it will be a great starting point to continue the enthusiasm of women after the march.   This will be 7-9ish at the Harlequin Café, and we hope that from about 8:30 onwards we can have a get together over some wine and cake-so bring whatever you can carry if you can!   We will also provide some interesting resources-from blog print outs, magazines, music to traditional books for all women to have a look at, and if you have anything you want to bring, please do-it’s a feminist show and tell!   The discussion group will be women only and whilst we actively welcome all women’s voices, we would also like to create a supportive environment, where we can come together to be heard and respected. If any men are interested in how they can get involved, the new Edinburgh White Ribbon group will soon be up and running.   We are also in the process of defining our shared aims, and hopefully within a few weeks we will be able to let women know what we plan to achieve and represent through EFN.   If you know of anyone who may be interested in any part of EFN’s work, please get in touch, and we look forward to seeing all you women there on Wednesday! Edinburgh Feminist Network

 

EFN

The march was a HUGE success, hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. It was fantastic to see so many people turn up and march through the streets of Edinburgh. There was such a good atmosphere and it was so much fun! The pre-march banner making was great, and we hope to get a display together soon of all the wonderful banners we have now got. The men’s discussion group was a massive success with an Edinburgh White Ribbon group now formed. The rally was great, and thanks to Iain Wallace and Sandy Brindley for coming along and doing such a fantastic job.

The after party rocked! It was brilliant and loads of fun and we all jumped about to Rebel Girl full of feminist passion and a wee bit of alchohol! We’re currently discussing where next, so if you want to get involved, email e_f_n@myway.com and we’ll keep you updated. On to next year!!

3 days to go!

So the march is now only 3 days away! Lots of exciting things have been happening this past week.

The cinema event hosted by the Cameo was huge success, with a massive turnout and much interest. We were also able to give the audience a brief introduction as to why we all need this march, and to host a stand for anyone interested, for having a bit more of a chat.

Rebecca and Suse of EFN were invited to BBC Radio Scotland to talk about why this march is so important, and why the boxes “survivor” and “non-survivor” are irrelevant in the face of this culture of fear. The piece also includes interviews with both Iain Wallace from the White Ribbon Campaign, and Sandy Brindley of Rape Crisis Scotland. We’re hoping this broadcast reaches out to new people who will be encouraged to come along and show their support!

All the interviews will be broadcast on morning of the march, so keep an ear out for us!

As mentioned last week, the Evening News printed an article about Reclaim the Night, the overall response has been very positive, with lots of enthusiastic support and women wanting to get involved, which is fantastic!

We also have confirmation of the excellent news that some of the girls and young women from the YWCA will be at the Cornerstone for the pre-march gathering, to offer face painting! We ask for a small donation, that will be put towards the great work the YWCA continues to do with many girls and women in Edinburgh.

We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday evening at the march and rally!

Briefing Paper

We’re getting loads of interest as the march gets closer, so here is our press release for anyone interested. Feel free to quote and distibute. Enjoy!

Edinburgh says no to Violence and Fear

Edinburgh residents and the Edinburgh Feminist Network are about to make a powerful statement in the fight to end violence against women. On Thursday 11th October a Reclaim the Night march will take place, beginning at Festival Square and ending in a rally on the meadows, an area that many women avoid after dark.

The night will end on a celebratory note with a party at the Wee Red Bar, Lauriston Place. The march comes at a time when the issue of violence against women is very much at the fore in Scotland. Reclaim the Night takes place on the same day as the launch of a new National rape and sexual assault helpline for women, run by Rape Crisis Scotland, which will offer support and info to female survivors of sexual violence 365 days a year.

Despite improvements in funding for rape crisis centres, research conducted in 2007 by the Scottish Executive showed that 1 in 5 people thought that women were in some way responsible for rape if they were flirting, drunk or wearing a short skirt.[1] With attitudes such as these, it is easy to see why convictions for rape have reached an all time low, with only 3.9% of reported rapes in Scotland resulting in a conviction, this is the lowest in Europe. Though the Scottish Government should be congratulated for their support of Rape Crisis centres, more action is needed to challenge the damaging attitudes brought to light by this research, and more generally, a culture in which sexual violence is accepted and ignored.

The relevance of Reclaim the Night is explained by Ellie Hutchinson, one of the organisers of the march; “Reclaim The Night is not just about taking a stand on behalf of rape survivors, but also about highlighting the way that rape affects all women. Fear of rape and sexual assault is something that restricts the behaviour and movement of women. The powerful visual impact of local communities marching together through the streets of Edinburgh, is needed more than ever” Many women fear some unknown attacker, and will ask a male friend to walk them home at night, despite being far more likely to be raped by someone she knows, in her own home.

“I’m a naturally confident person, but always find myself looking over my shoulder if I walk home alone late at night, even though in my head I know the risks are small” Liz Ely, member of Edinburgh Feminist Network. It is in light of these shared experiences, that the Edinburgh Feminist Network has come together in the global tradition of Reclaim (or Take Back) the Night marches.

A group of young women, who meet weekly in Edinburgh, tired of attitudes which sanction rape and sexual violence, have come together to organise Reclaim the Night. The group will remain active within Edinburgh, and organise other awareness raising events throughout the year. “We believe that ‘feminism is the radical notion that women are people’[2] and that freedom of movement is a universal human right. Reclaim the night is about taking back this basic right, challenging oppressive attitudes and sending a message to all survivors of sexual violence, that they can speak out, they are not alone.” Ellie

Ellie Hutchinson rejected the notion that feminism is unnecessary or a thing of the past, and joined together with other women to form the Edinburgh Feminist Network. Through the Internet and various social networking sites such as Facebook, women from all sorts of backgrounds found out about the group and began coming to meetings. Growing in number week by week, the Edinburgh Feminist Network is part of an exciting trend of a new generation of women taking back feminism for themselves, rejecting tired stereotypes and participating in collective action.

“The Edinburgh Feminist Network, or collective, is a wonderful opportunity to work with like minded people, and put beliefs into practice. It’s also a great way to meet people and have a lot of fun, without having to continually justify your political beliefs” Liz Ely

The Edinburgh Feminist Network is keen for Reclaim the Night to reach out to as many people in Edinburgh as possible, and bring feminism and its ideas to a new audience. They are inviting all Edinburgh residents and visitors to gather in Festival Square at 7:30pm to march, or come at 6:30pm to the Cornerstone Café to congregate and make banners. EFN is keen to engage everyone, including men, so a Men’s Discussion Group will take place in the Wash Bar from 6:30pm, where men can meet and discuss their contribution to ending violence against women. During the march itself, men are invited to march at the back, with women taking the lead. The march will end at the Meadows with a rally, with speakers from the Edinburgh Feminist Network, Rape Crisis Scotland, and Scotland’s White Ribbon Campaign. As part of rejecting the notion that feminism is humourless and dry, the evening will end with a party at the Wee Red Bar.

For more information contact Susan Maxwell / Ellie Hutchinson / Liz Ely Email: E_F_N@myway.com www.reclaimthenightedinburgh.wordpress.com
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[1] Domestic Abuse 2006/07: Post-Campaign Evaluation

Number of respondents who believed women were in some way responsible-

If drunk 27%, wearing revealing clothing 26% flirting 32%

Article in the f-word!

‘The f-word’, an online magazine aimed specifically at young feminists in the UK, has published an article about Edinburgh’s Reclaim the Night march.

‘Edinburgh Gets Ready to Reclaim the Night’

Evening News!

There’s an article by Adam Morris on Reclaim the Night in the Edinburgh Evening News today!

‘Marchers will ‘reclaim night’ for women in fear of attack’

March

The march and the events are all coming together-yay! (see the post below for details of a film screening)

The march will kick off with a pre-march gathering at 6:30-7:30pm the Cornerstone Cafe. This will be a great start where we can meet, chat and make posters. We will then set off from Festival Square at 7.30pm. The march is being led by the Commotion Women Drummers with women taking the lead and men following. We will walk down Lothian Road, onto Princes Street, up The Mound, where men from the discussion group at the wash bar (6:30-7:30) will join in solidarity. We will then walk up North Bridge, Bristo PLace, and Teviot Place, ending in the Meadows.

Once at the Meadows, we will have a rally. Speakers at the rally will be Sandy Brindley (Rape Crisis Scotland), Iain Wallace (White Ribbon Campaign), Ellie Hutchinson (Edinburgh Feminist Network-that’s us!), and survivor stories will be read by women from Edinburgh Feminist Network.

Following the march, we will head up to the Wee Red Bar for drinks and dancing to celebrate the fantastic march, DJing women and feminist fun from 10-3, tickets on the door for £2.

Events

On Sunday 7th October at 1.30pm, the Cameo are screening a double bill to raise awareness for the march.

Starting with Fire, part of a series of films by Indian director Deepa Mehta which look into family relationships, abuse and sexuality in India.

The second film, Volver directed by Almodovar, is a brilliant exploration of the relationships between mothers and daughters which tackles issues around incest and child sexual abuse. (one of my personal faves!)

Come along, learn more about the march and enjoy some amazing films!