Reclaim the Night Belfast 2023 will take place on Saturday November 30th. Gather at Writers Square for speakers at 5:30pm before marching through the city centre to reclaim public space for all.

The route takes us through the city centre, it also takes in some symbolic land marks.

Before the march, we gather at Writers Square, close to UUB or the Art College. NUS research found that one in three women students felt unsafe visiting their college and university. We are pleased to have had a representative of the Student Union Movement to speak at each Reclaim the Night.

The march starts in what has been dubbed the ‘Queer Quarter’ of Belfast. Earlier in November is the Transgender Day of Remembrance, remembering trans people who have been killed because of transphobia. One of our speakers each year has been a representative of a Trans Rights and Advocacy group.

The march moves past City Hall, a symbol of our political system. A political system that is lagging behind when it comes to legislation relating to stalking and domestic violence. We also take in the offices of the Public Prosecution Service, the Courts, and a PSNI station. This was deliberate as these buildings are symbols of a system which contributes to the low reporting and conviction rates in relation to sexual violence.

The march finishes by the Albert Clock, an area once associated with sex work. Our current legislation, which criminalises the purchase of sex, makes sex workers less safe. A representative of self organised sex workers has spoken at or provided a speech for each Reclaim the Night Belfast.

Here is our route for the march, it is just over a mile long. If you do not feel up to marching the whole route, you are welcome to join us for the speakers in Writers Square or to leave the march at anytime. Please exit the march onto the footpath for your safety.

We will be walking along the road, this is mostly flat however it is uneven in places. It should be suitable for those using wheelchairs and prams. There are dropped kerbs around the start and end points of the march.

There will be drumming and chanting along the route which may be loud. The samba band will be near the front of the march, and will probably be the loudest section.

Please dress suitably for the weather!