By Jazmin Smith

As the sun went down Monday, more than 250 candles lit up the Memorial Hall amphitheater as students gathered to speak out against violence at Take Back the Night.

Take Back the Night is a national event that started in the 1970s. It inspires men and women to confront social ills such as rape, verbal and sexual abuse, and stalking. Students and community members came to let their voices be heard and to put their mark on peace.

Psychology senior McKenzie Thompson organized the event at UK this year.

“I got involved because I never want anyone to go through the things I went through again,” Thompson, a rape survivor, said.

The rally began with a march around campus. Students and community members held signs high yelling, “See our face, hear our voice, take back the night!” and “No means no!” Cars honked and pedestrians nodded and smiled as the marchers spoke out in support of the cause.

Students took the stage to tell their own stories of stalking, rape, physical abuse and sexism and encouraged others to do the same.

“I’ve found hope and peace and all the things that Take Back the Night stands for here last year,” said Elaine Collins, an English junior. “We don’t have to hide anymore. You don’t have to hide anymore.”

­­UK graduate Anthony Tanner wanted to let others know that success can come from these experiences.

“I’m not here as a victim or a survivor, but as a success story,” Tanner said.

Many students spoke of their “green dot moments” that represent a behavior or choice that promotes safety and speaks out against violence. The Violence Intervention and Prevention Center wants to see more “green dots” like those stories students told.

Collins’ “green dot moment” was the 50 Journals Project. She placed 50 journals around campus for students to write their stories and pass them on. There were also journals to write in at the event.

The VIP Center put on the event, and the Counseling and Testing Center, Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center, Hope’s Wings and many other organizations had information tables at the event.

Sally Evans, the VIP Center’s educational programs and volunteer coordinator, said she believes it is a basic human right to be able to live free of fear and violence. Evans described Take Back the Night as a place for students to learn not to be afraid of the night.

“Any person should be able to enjoy the stars and go out to bars and have fun without being afraid,” Evans said.

The sky became darker, but students did not stop. After stories were shared, the dancers of the Sacred Fire Circus performed and the Groove Manifesto played a concert. People dance and sang and celebrated the night, rather than being afraid.