A slight drizzle could not keep close to 100 activists away from the “Take Back the Night” rally against rape culture and sexual violence organized by the University of Massachusetts Everywoman’s Center this past Thursday.

“Take Back the Night” is held internationally and aims to create awareness about an all-too familiar experience many women feel — the anxiety associated with walking alone at night.

On the bullhorn leading the way for most of the night was UMass graduate student and EWC Educator Advocate Meghan Lemay.

“I’m dedicating my life to social justice and an end to violence,” Lemay said to the crowd.

The night began using the waning light of day to create posters to use in the march. Some slogans among many included, “Women unite, take back the night,” and “My body, my choice.”

In contrast to the moment of silence honoring unheard voices of sexual violence following the completion of poster making, Lemay announced the opportunity for survivors of sexual violence to take the bullhorn and share their own stories. More friends and supporters than actual survivors braved the bullhorn to share stories, but each speaker emphasized the importance of moving forward and speaking out.

Flavia Santos Araujo, an EWC Educator Advocate, shared her own story of surviving violence and abuse. She said she has survived the abuse of her father and is currently in the process of “recreating” herself after an abusive relationship. Even with all of these struggles, Santos Araujo feels she has come out a stronger woman.

“I stand up here tonight as a survivor… Recovery may take a lifetime. Abuse does not have to,” she said, adding that “Change is possible — that’s why I’m here.”

John Sanders, a philosophy and comparative literature double major, also took the bullhorn, not as a victim but as a voice of men. He challenged the scattering of men in the crowd to view their attendance at the rally not as a compliment but as a challenge.

“It’s sad we don’t have more guys here,” Sanders said following the march at the event’s reception. “It’s great to say we’re above [oppression],” Sanders said, though he added he believes more needs to be done in order to create equality among the sexes.

Junior Stephanie Staples, a sociology and women’s studies double major, was surprised at how many men took the opportunity to take the bullhorn and speak out.

“It was interesting how many men spoke,” Staples said.

As the sharing ended, the march continued with chanting and drumming to the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. Drawing many stares from students and staff, a silent walk through the Learning Commons was held to honor those forced to remain silent under sexual violence and oppression.

The raucous rally, with its chants of “Two, four, six, eight, no more violence, no more rape,” and “We have the power, we have the right. We have the streets, take back the night,” made a stop in front of the Fine Arts Center to view a brief performance by Phallacies, a men’s health troupe, and then wound its way through Central Residential Area to its final destination of the Everywoman’s Center, located in the New Africa House, for the ending reception.

Staples, though she expected more people to attend, said the rally was fun, adding, “I’m here in solidarity for women and survivors, to give them support and create a safe space.”

Chelsie Field can be reached at [email protected].