The evening began as a rather somber event, the kind where sorrow and tension could be felt in the air and the kind in which protesters carry candles and signs with messages such as “No Means No” and “Let the Violence Stop.”
The unity of bodies and the flickering of candlelight on Driscoll lawn blended together and formed a strong voice for the University of Denver community.
The vigil, where hundreds of students, staff and faculty marched around campus to “Take Back the Night,” was held Thursday by the Undergraduate and Graduate Women’s Councils in response to the sexual assaults that occurred on campus on March 25. The vigil was planned for later in the spring but was moved up because of the series of assaults.
“Take Back the Night” is [an event] when students take a night out of the year to say that they won’t tolerate hate on campus,” said Sarah Asplin, president of the Undergraduate Women’s Council.
“It is always horrible to find out that people are out there that would attack other innocent people. It’s even worse when you find out that it is happening right around you, and to people you know,” said junior Patrick Fults.
“I am happy to see that people are joining together to support awareness about the incidents. Hopefully this will get people thinking, and keep people safe and smart when they are out late,” he continued.
Chancellor Daniel L. Ritchie, who was the first speaker, said, “An attack on one is an attack on all of us. The only way to ‘Take Back the Night’ is to do it together.”
Other speakers reflected on past events and incidents, and offered petitions and prayers. Participants expressed their hopes for peace, their hopes for living in safety, and their appreciation for the movement and protest.
While many said that the coverage of the sexual assaults was appropriate, others felt the story was over-dramatized by the media.
“Situations like these have happened before. I might not feel as safe as I did walking alone on campus, but I am confused as to why these assaults in particular are getting so much attention,” said senior Rachel Fox.
