Anti-Spiking Protest

"Who's night? … OUR NIGHT"

On the evening of October 30th we marched because we don't feel safe.

After the boycott of nightclubs in Edinburgh on Thursday 28th October, we decided the next step was for to organise a protest and make some noise.

Life as a young woman has been particularly difficult over the last few months. We can’t go on the internet or talk to other women without hearing stories about the horrific spiking that has been happening all over the UK. Because of the pandemic this has been the first opportunity many of us -me included- have had in nightclubs and bars. Speaking for myself, I have already been put off going back and that isn’t fair. Women should be allowed to go and have a drink and a boogie with their friends without feeling at risk of being spiked. Hundreds of spiking reports have come out since September, but we all know the numbers are much higher in reality. The fact is: this issue is not being taken seriously enough by the government and something needs to change. For this reason, we came together in protest.

Our protest was organised alongside Edinburgh council and police so that the large number of people who came to march could do so safely. We met at Bristo Square and were led down Cowgate, forcing clubs and bars to hear our chants and read our signs. As a woman I would normally feel anxious walking that same route at night, but this was not at all the case on Saturday. To be surrounded and supported by so many likeminded, passionate, and strong people was overwhelming in the best way. I felt myself on the verge of tears the whole time, especially when seeing people come past us and clap or even join the march themselves.

Once we had gone down Cowgate and the Royal Mile, we ended outside the Scottish Parliament for some short speeches.

Rachel Thomsen from @the.urban.angels spoke first, highlighting that we have a duty to make sure that the measures put in place in clubs/bars don’t discriminate against marginalised groups.

“Changing the behaviour that allows these spiking's to persist should be normal. Accountability should be normal. Because it is precisely the sexist culture that allows this exploitation take place. Accountability, understanding, and compassion are all fundamental”- Rachel Thomsen

Secondly, Sharessa Naidoo spoke representing @girlupedinburgh. She talked about the shift that has taken place from women taking responsibility to not become victims of spiking, to us now turning the finger away from ourselves and pointing it towards the culture that perpetuates violence against us.

“Apart from optimize club security, as well as increase spiking conviction charges, we need policy change. We need policy change to ensure government mandates effective sex education”- Sharessa Naidoo

Lastly, our very own Femsoc president Amy Life concluded our evening with a speech.

“We deserve to live our lives the way we want to without fear that us or our friends will get hurt. The rise of spiking -and the new threat of spiking by needles- reminds us that gender-based violence is still very much here. It’s terrifying. But now is not the time to live in fear, it’s the time to resist and show that in the face of violence, we can be powerful, we can be joyful, and we can dance”- Amy Life

Although protesting is something we shouldn’t have to do, I would recommend attending any similar organisation to anyone reading this as I left feeling even stronger about the cause.