As dusk settled on campus yesterday, an estimated 125 students and community members gathered to partake in “Take Back the Night,” an annual march around campus to show solidarity against sexual assault.

Fraternity and sorority members, past, current and future Peer Health Educators (PHEs) and other interested students and community members convened in White Plaza before embarking on the march.

“Tonight is a chance for us to come together to raise awareness, shout out and make our presence known,” said senior and Take Back the Night Student Coordinator Amanda Johnson immediately before the event.

Sally Baird, a representative from the Sexual Assault Prevention Program at Vaden Health Promotion Services, welcomed the crowd in White Plaza, where the opening ceremony was held.

The ceremony featured a cappella group Talisman, which performed two songs, as well as a variety of speakers.

Representatives from the YWCA Sexual Assault Center spoke about the tragic effects of sexual assault they had observed during their time at the Center.

“Tonight is about no longer being silent,” said representative Nina Iyengar. “It’s about taking back the power and taking back the night.”

PHE Coordinator Kate Bedford urged participants not to be passive in the presence of demeaning, sexist comments that are often ignored or taken as jokes.

“Looking at all of you here tonight, I feel like I have the power to change the community,” she said. “Together, we can make an impact.”

Reverend Joanne Sanders from the Office of Religious Life closed the ceremony, speaking about the march’s symbolism for interdependence as well as the triumph of hope over cynicism.

Before the march began, Johnson advised participants to “soak it all in, enjoy this walk, but also think a lot.”

Participants were given small candles to carry during the march.

Though the march began in silence, “along the way, it grew more to be like a social thing,” said freshman Theresa Zhen. “We were just chatting and laughing — which is how it should be, walking through these places.”

The march began in White Plaza and continued down the Row. Participants then walked down Mayfield Avenue, around part of Lake Lagunita, and down Governor’s Avenue. The route continued down Santa Teresa and Duena Streets, ending at Memorial Church where a reception was held following the event.

Coordinators said they were pleased with the event’s outcome and turnout.

“I never expected so many people to be here tonight,” Johnson said.

Participants also spoke positively about the march.

“I think it’s a real good cause and I’m just happy to lend my support,” said junior Dave Aufhauser, president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Sophomore Jessica Zhang emphasized the seriousness of sexual assault and violence.

“I think it’s important to bring awareness to the general student body,” she said.

“People don’t talk about sexual violence here, but it’s a huge issue,” agreed junior Anna Rafferty. “It’s not talked about so much, so I think it’s good to see this many people come out here and recognize the issue and recognize that there is something we can do and that Stanford is not just a bubble where this doesn’t happen.”

“Violence against women does happen both in the Stanford community and beyond,” said Take Back the Night Coordinator Stephanie Nguyen, a senior. “It is my hope that this night will allow all those in support of women and the safety of women to come together and start building the foundation for a supportive community.”