Women in Reading engaged in a demonstration to ‘reclaim the night’ as part of a nationwide protest against rape and all forms of male violence against women.
The demonstration began with a march from the Town Hall through the town centre to St Mary’s Butts.
A video posted on X/Twitter shows women chanting: “Hey mister, get your hands of my sister” and “Wherever we live, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no.”
The event was attended by women, Reading Labour councillors and MPs, with the support of the University of Reading and Berkshire Women’s Aid.
Addressing attendees at Market Place, former Labour councillor Sophia James said: “I’m here because sisterhood always gets you through!
“I’m learning as I get older that to be a woman is to learn the true meaning of perseverance and resilience.
“I want to encourage you all, firstly thanks for coming out, secondly I just want to say, that it’s important in these moments, whether it’s the unity of a toilet tampon in a Walkabout at 2am, or if it’s helping someone get home if they are a bit flat out.
“I had an experience fairly recently with a predatory man, I had sisters standing by me so I wasn’t alone and he lost.
“That’s what Reclaim the Night is all about!”
The protest culminated in speeches at Reading Minster church.
Ellie Emberson, lead councillor for corporate services and resources wrote a sign saying ‘my rapist looks like ur son’ reflecting her own experiences as a woman.
In a speech, she railed against re-elected President Trump and Andrew Tate, both men who have huge positions of influence and have faced allegations of sexual misconduct.
Cllr Emberson (Labour, Coley) said: “With Trump elected, my sign says ‘my rapist looks like ur son’, and I know it’s a bit brazen but I had to do it.
“And I put Trump on it and Andrew Tate on it, and a big cross through them, because I know men are learning things from them which they should not be learning via social media, and it’s only gotten worse.
“I feel old, I’m 26 now! But I feel brave enough, and I do think it’s time to step up, and I’m hopeful women can come out and come forward.
“I remember being told at school that no one would believe me.
“And I stood for election knowing that my perpetrator would be released, and he was released the same night I was elected, and I see him, and I keep going.
“We must, we must keep going. And men are abused too.
“It’s imperative that we keep up the good fight, the council keeps investing, and this Labour government keep their promise to get those rates down, and make sure that vulnerable women like me are able to be supported.
“I’m so grateful to all my friends, all my family and my Labour colleagues, and I’m so grateful to everyone, the council staff and the social services who do a lot to keep women safe in this town. Thank you all, solidarity.”
The event was attended by Yuan Yang, the Labour MP for Earley and Woodley and Olivia Bailey, the Labour MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire on Friday, November 29.
