Tonight, UND “Takes back the night”

It's a serious issue that often hits close to home.

For the 17th year in a row, the UND Women's Center is putting on a "Take Back the Night" rally, in support for the survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

• The Clothesline Project - on display at the UND ballroom until Friday at noon
• Speaker - John Clune, Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the ballroom
• Rally - Thursday at 8:00 p.m. (after the speaker,) from the Union to Princeton St. and back

"It's a heartbreaking story," said Natalie Marcussen from the Women's Center. "We do this to educate and make people aware. (North Dakota) is a small state but things like domestic violence still occur."

Marcussen has been with the Women's Center for five years as an undergrad. She also leads The Clothesline Project, a visual collection of t-shirts on a clothesline, each representing a victim. "It's an issue that affects everyone: children, adults, men, and women," she said. "Most people can't believe their eyes."

The t-shirts are on display until Friday afternoon in the ballroom of the Memorial Union. "We want people to learn something," Marcussen said. "It shows that victims have the support of others."

Tonight, lawyer John Clune will speak in the Union ballroom at 7:00 p.m. prior to the rally. Clune assisted the victim in the high-profile Kobe Bryant sexual assault trials and is an attorney for the Victim Justice Law Firm.

After the speech, anyone can march down University (at about 8:00 p.m.) to Princeton Street and back to the Union.

"We're trying to take a stand against violence," said Marcussen. "We do this by raising our voices to help the victims and survivors."

 

Sean Lee, UND.edu
Student Reporter