Outside the New Hanover County Courthouse last Thursday night stood eight silent witnesses. These silent witnesses were cardboard cutout figurines with names and descriptions of local women who had been killed by domestic violence.

Rally-goers walked around these silent witnesses, reading the various ways the victims were murdered by their partners and occasionally snapping a few pictures as the sun set. Once it starting getting darker, the mood of the evening began to dim as well.

As the courthouse courtyard started to fill up, attendants grabbed a water bottle or cup of Port City Java coffee and they chatted with their friends, coworkers and acquaintances. There were representatives from numerous organizations around Wilmington – the Wilmington Police Department, UNC Wilmington’s Collaboration for Assault Response & Education, the Young Women’s Christian Association Lower Cape Fear chapter and the local rape crisis and domestic violence shelters.

District Attorney Ben David was present as always, along with Thursday in Black members, part of an organization that works to raise awareness of gender-based violence by dressing in black every Thursday. There was also an appearance from a newer group to the march and rally tradition, Las Amigas Incorporated. Las Amigas have only been coming to Wilmington’s “Take Back the Night” event for two years now. 

As 7 p.m. approached, rally-goers prepared to march. Community members from around town formed a line and started marching down Princess Street shouting, “People unite! Take back the night! People unite! Safety is our right!” and later when approaching Front Street, “There’s no excuse for domestic abuse!” 

Patrons of downtown bars and restaurants looked on as about 100 advocates marched on with their purple glowsticks, a color associated with domestic violence awareness. A couple of police officers escorted attendees all the way back to 3^rd Street, where everyone gathered once more for a few speeches and performances.

Kim Ratcliff of WECT ran the ceremonies, introducing each of the speakers and acts. Members of UNCW’s own Physical Graffiti performed, and later two local activists, Kelly Williams and Dierdre Parker, performed spoken word.

Laura McLean, a local guitarist and activist who had been going to the Wilmington “Take Back the Night” march and rally for the last 27 years in a row, was awarded the 2016 Ambassador of Hope Award from Domestic Violence Shelter & Services, Inc.

The night’s keynote speaker was Monika Johnson-Hostler, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Monika spoke about how she considered 2016 her 20-year anniversary of working, i.e. getting paid to end and advocate for gender-based violence. She gave an inspiring speech on empowerment, women’s rights, bystander intervention and even the current election.

A serious, somber night of remembering victims and loved ones ended on a lighter note after Laura McLean grabbed her guitar and sang her ritual “Lean on Me” cover as everyone raised their purple glowsticks, or phones, and sang along together.

An estimated 1-in-4 women will be affected by domestic violence in her lifetime. Domestic Violence Shelter & Services, Inc. can be contacted 24 hours a day at 910-343-0703.