by LALROHLUI
Following a concerning rise in women’s violence, a nationwide rally is set to take place from April 26th to April 28th throughout different cities in Australia.
In Sydney, the rally is set to take place on Saturday, April 27 at 1pm, starting from Belmore Park Haymarket and continuing until Hyde Park.
Other locations include Newcastle, Ballarat, Coffs Harbour, Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Bendigo, Geelong, Brisbane, The Sunshine Coast and Perth.
The rally is set to advocate for change, increase public awareness, and force Australia to address the urgent problem of violence against women, LGBT people, people with disabilities, and Indigenous people.
The ‘No More’ National Rally Against Violence was initiated by Sarah Williams, founder and CEO of What Were You Wearing Australia, an Indigenous, queer and disabled led not-for-profit organisation working against sexual assault.
“Enough is enough. And it has been enough for a long time. We need more action from politicians, and we need them to take these crimes more seriously,” said Ms Williams.
Already 31 women have been lost to male violence this year alone, according to the Australian Femicide Watch. Compared to last year, the number of women who have been allegedly killed by gender-based violence has almost doubled.
In the wake of the recent Bondi Junction stabbing rampage, which resulted in the deaths of five women, hundreds have taken to social media platforms in an attempt to raise awareness about the growing problem.
Calls are also emphasising the need for men to “step up” – at a family violence Symposium on April 19, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said, “To create lasting change, women cannot be expected to solve violence against women alone. It’s time for men to step up.”
The rally further urges men to support and take action in addressing gender-based violence.
“We need our fathers, brothers, all our men to be there with us. Men need to show up for this one!” said Ms Williams.
Mia Findley, an activist and content creator, has taken to social media to read a poem she wrote after the Bondi Junction mass stabbings.
The poem, which she reads in a powerful video, draws attention to continuing violence against women and the stark contrast in how authorities respond to violence against women versus men.
She highlights the tough response from authorities to the deaths of two young men from one-punch attacks in Sydney — Thomas Kelly in 2012 and Daniel Christie in 2014. These deaths were the trigger for Sydney’s controversial lockout laws.
“We know you can do it, make laws consequential and tough and for two boys with futures you cared just enough”, writes Findley in the poem.
She will perform her ‘I Am Fed Up’ poem at the No More Rally in Sydney.
The rallies will begin with a march down a well-known street in each city. Speeches, performances, and oraganised activities will then take place to assist victims in processing the day and to provide a direct link to victim services.
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