Awareness of sexual violence against women and the always urgent need to stop it, was the issue at the forefront of the Take Back the Night women’s march held in L’Orignal on Wednesday, September 18.
Champlain Township hosted the 2024 women’s march in partnership with Centre Novas-calacs francophone de Prescott et Russell, which operates a shelter and other services for female victims of domestic violence. This year’s march was the 17th time such an event has taken place in Prescott-Russell. Champlain Township Councillor Ginette Clément served as the official spokesperson for the event.
“It was a march filled with commitment,” Clément said.
There were 183 participants in the L’Orignal March and included women, men, and children of all ages.
“It was a good example of solidarity. Especially for the young girls who were accompanied by their parents. What beautiful examples of hope for a better future,” Clément remarked.
Led by the Champlain Fire Department, the march began at École élémentaire catholique Saint-Jean Baptiste and followed a loop around L’Orignal streets. Participants carried signs, blew whistles, and chanted.
Algonquin Métis Luce Bélanger performed the opening ceremony for the march emphasizing the importance of healing and connection between all cultures.
“This traveling yearly March is an important act of resistance that cannot succeed without the host community coming together. We are thrilled at the turnout. This is proof that the cause is growing in Prescott and Russell,” Centre Novas Executive Director Valérie Charbonneau said.
The evening ended with the symbolic passing of the torch by Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel to Mayor Mike Tarnowski of the Township of Russell, where the 18th edition of the march will take place in 2025.
Take Back the Night marches began internationally in the 1970s to protest sexual violence against women.
