Leeds is a beautiful city with a rich and complex history. Its past is filled with events that shaped its identity. Today, we take a look at the development of feminism in Leeds during the 20th century, focusing on the “Reclaim the Night” movement, which originated in this city in 1977. Read more on leedska.com.
Background: How It All Began
“Reclaim the Night” is part of the Women’s Liberation Movement in England, tracing its roots back to the 1970s. The marches for women’s rights in England were inspired by similar protests in the United States. In 1975, Susan “Sue” Alexander Speirt was murdered while walking home from work in Philadelphia, sparking widespread outrage.
In April 1977, protests against rape and violence against women were organized in several German cities. A few months later, similar marches took place in Leeds, spearheaded by the Leeds Revolutionary Feminist Group.
“Reclaim the Night” in Leeds
The first protests for women’s rights in Leeds were held on November 12, 1977, in response to the murders committed by the “Yorkshire Ripper.” Over five years, 30 women were killed. Feminists were outraged not only by these heinous crimes but also by the police’s response, which imposed a curfew on women in Leeds, restricting them from going out after dark.
The initial march took place in Leeds, followed by simultaneous protests in cities like York, Bristol, Brighton, Newcastle, Bradford, Manchester, Lancaster, and London. Contrary to popular belief, these early marches were not large-scale events. In Leeds, two separate marches were organized, with over 100 participants in total. The Chapeltown march included about 30 women, while the Woodhouse march had 85 participants. Both groups converged on Leeds city square.
“Reclaim the Night” in Later Years
Not all marches were peaceful. For instance, in Soho in 1978, women were injured during a protest, and 13 participants were arrested. By the following year, 2,000 women gathered in Soho for another march.
The marches ceased by the 1990s for two main reasons: many participants had taken on jobs and no longer had the time to protest, and repression against demonstrators intensified.
In 2004, there was an attempt to revive the movement in London. The initial march that year attracted only 30 participants. However, by the following year, the number grew to 1,000 women, and gradually, the marches were revived in other cities as well.
The Leeds Revolutionary Feminist Group – Organizers of Regional Marches
The Leeds Revolutionary Feminist Group was the driving force behind the nationwide marches. Founded in 1977, it arose as a reaction against the perceived dominance of liberal feminism. Alison Garthwaite was a prominent member of this group, which organized the “Reclaim the Night” protests.
One of their notable contributions was the pamphlet “Political Lesbianism: The Case Against Heterosexuality”, published in 1979 and republished in 1981 under the title “Love Your Enemy?”. The pamphlet advocated for lesbianism and called on women to reject heterosexual relationships, which feminists argued were a key mechanism of systemic control over women.
This glimpse into feminist Leeds in the 20th century highlights the city’s significant role in the broader women’s liberation movement. We hope this article was insightful and provided you with a deeper understanding of our city’s history. What are your thoughts on feminism? Do you support its core principles? Share your comments on social media.