Marina Gaytan / The Collegian

The night sky casts its shadow on a united crowd. A solitary candle brought light to an otherwise darkened area. One by one, each candle is lit. Strangers turned toward one another, offering a flame of friendship — a flame of unity. Simultaneously, everyone turned and began walking in unison. Chants of “women unite, take back the nightâ€Â echoed throughout the hallowed campus.

Take Back the Night, an international movement to raise awareness of domestic violence, sexual violence and violence toward children, took place Wednesday night for the 30th straight year at California State University, Fresno.

The gathering started at 6 p.m. and lasted until approximately 7:30 p.m. Events ranged from live music by the “Inflight Nymphsâ€Â and the “Raging Grannies,â€Â to spoken poetry about domestic violence and a skit that showed different forms of abuse. The event concluded with a candlelight march around the Fresno State campus. Hundreds of people attended the event.

Take Back the Night first occurred at the University of Pittsburg in 1977, according to Jenny Whyte, coordinator of the Women̢۪s Resource Center. Fresno State adopted the tradition two years later in 1979.

Dr. Paul Oliaro, provost and vice president of student affairs, is proud to have the tradition of Take Back the Night on campus and is glad Fresno State can be called a safe place.

“I am very proud to be asked to produce the welcome tonight,â€Â Oliaro said during his speech. “Tonight is the night we take back the night from violence and crying. This campus is where one can have a safe place to go. There will always be a listening ear when needed.â€Â

Whyte, during her speech, said Take Back the Night is more than just any normal rally.

“Take Back the Night is about taking your life back,â€Â Whyte said. “Tonight we stand together as survivors, not victims.â€Â

Throughout the event, guest speakers told their own personal stories, showing what the event meant to them.

Anastasia Malone, president of the women̢۪s alliance on campus, said the event holds a specific meaning to her.

“[Take Back the Night] means being able to stand up for yourself and speak out against violence, against abuse,â€Â Malone said.

Malone also touched on the theme of the night, which was ‘don’t sit back, react,’ while speaking about the meaning of the event.

“This meaning coincides with the theme of the night. We cannot sit back idly and watch others be abused physically or mentally.â€Â

Malone added that the event, if nothing else, brings people together and unites them under a common cause.

Ruth Austin, adjunct professor and original Take Back the Night organizer at Fresno State, left the audience with a message of hope for the future.

“The movement is still going strong, it shows people still care,â€Â Austin said. “We have the ultimate ability of communication, which gives us hope for the future.â€Â