Take Back the Night returns to downtown Hamilton Thursday evening

Sections of major downtown Hamilton streets were temporarily closed as the annual Take Back the Night rally march returned Thursday evening.

The rally’s route remains unchanged, with the march beginning at City Hall at 7:30 p.m., before moving along Main Street towards James Street South.

The march then moves down James Street, turning onto King Street, another turn onto Hess Street before returning onto Main Street in one large circle.

The rally finished back at City Hall, with the overall march expecting to finish at around 9 p.m. and roads reopening afterwards.

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The annual march has been hosted on Hamilton’s streets since 1981, with the exception of the virtual march during the COVID-19 lockdowns from 2020 to 2022.

Each year the rally draws hundreds of people to march against sexual violence, gender-based violence, and street harassment.

Take Back the Night also included all-ages community discussion tables, an Indigenous market, and other activities held before the march at City Hall.