Woman organizing 'Take Back Our Streets' march this week in downtown Ann Arbor
The organizer of a “Take Back Our Streets” walk planned for Thursday night in downtown Ann Arbor has a message for those responsible in several recent attacks on women in the city.
“We’re not going to let him do this and not get caught,” said Rebecca Craigmile, 26, a longtime Washtenaw County resident who currently lives in Ypsilanti. “We’re here, we’re on the path that you’ve been taking, we aren’t letting you do it anymore.”
A new wanted poster released today by Ann Arbor police shows two composite images of possible assault suspects.
The walk will begin at 9 p.m. at Community High School, 401 N. Division St., and end on State Street near the Michigan Union around 11:30 p.m.
RELATED COVERAGE
More stories on recent attacks on women in Ann Arbor:
- Ann Arbor police believe 1 or 2 men are responsible for 6 recent attacks on women
- Updates from press conference on assaults against women in Ann Arbor
- U-M student sexually assaulted in 6th recent attack in Ann Arbor
- More than 200 tips received in investigation into five recent attacks on women in Ann Arbor
- Ann Arbor mayor says investigation into 5 recent attacks on women is high priority
- Ann Arbor police urge vigilance after rape on Monday morning and two weekend attacks
A Facebook page has more details.
Today, Ann Arbor police reported the sixth in a string of sexual assaults downtown.
A 21-year-old University of Michigan student walking to her car in a parking lot in the 700 block of South State Street said she was attacked Tuesday around 11:30 p.m. The woman broke free and ran to an apartment to call police, authorities said.
Police say it still remains unclear whether that attack is related to five others in the city between July 15 and July 18, including two rapes.
In the latest case, the attacker was described as a male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up, blue jeans and black sunglasses. He is believed to have tan skin and stand about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, according to information in a U-M crime alert.
Craigmile, who worked in Ann Arbor for several years, said she awoke to find news of Tuesday’s attack and knew she had to do something.
“It’s something that needs to be known, that these attacks have been happening. It’s not 2 or 2:30 in the morning, it’s 11 o’clock, when a lot of people are walking home from restaurants,” she said.
Craigmile organized the walk at night to show she wants to take a stand. By distributing suspect photos and encouraging a heavy community presence near the sites of previous attacks, she hopes to do her part to support authorities and let any suspects know they are not welcome in Ann Arbor, she said.
“It’s one of those things that when it hits home, it’s too late,” she said. “Ann Arbor is definitely something I love. I love the campus, the campus life, and I just hate to see this going on.”
Heidi Fenton covers police and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heidifenton@annarbor.com or 734-623-4673. You also can follow her on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
eagleman
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 2:02 a.m.
If marching makes women feel better, more power to them. But if you want to really feel safe, take self-defense courses. A weapon can be knocked out of your hand, but karate or some other martial art cannot so easily be dispatched. This does not mean you will not be raped, but it does at least afford you a good chance of defending yourself. In my opinion, self defense is the best form of empowerment for women.
Townie
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 5:44 p.m.
I think the march is appropriate and will get people thinking about the right things. That said, I hope everyone marching is registered to vote and will vote for the A2 government that will spend our resources wisely and make police and fire a priority instead of a 'luxury' that needs to be cut.
Hmm
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 3:34 p.m.
Isn't it supposed to be raining hard again tonight? Probably not the best time to do this, maybe tomorrow night?
hifromdiana
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.
I don't know why I continue to read the comments on these articles, because I'm always seething by the time I get to the bottom of the page. Marches are incredibly empowering for those who choose to participate. If you are not a survivor of sexual assault, you have no right to pass judgment on those of us who wish to use marches as part of our healing process. No one ever made the argument that this march would immediately scare the assailant off the street. The point is to bring people together, raise awareness, SUPPORT SURVIVORS, and make people feel empowered to get involved. Those who make fun of this effort are just heartless. There are real people in your community affected by these crimes, and supporting them does not take away from the search for the assailant. This is not a zero sum game.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 7:32 a.m.
I'd rather women actually BE empowered than just FEEL empowered. I apologize if that makes me a patronizing misogynist jerk.
Terri
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 6:13 p.m.
Amen!
Catherine Bosma
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
Here, here!
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 12:01 p.m.
2WheelsGood, this is not about him, but about showing solidarity among women. He is a creep, a low life, and we're all aware of it. As a white male, I find it sad that we still have to deal with these animals when we already have a perfectly logical means of 'curing' these perverts and sickos. Please push the state to legalize chemical castration for convicted rapists, pedophiles, and sexual predators.
a2umichfan
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 3:45 p.m.
Sexual assault encompasses more than forced penetrative sex. Many of the recent incidences have involved groping as well, which can still be extremely traumatizing. In those situations, chemical castration would be ineffective.
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 1:09 p.m.
Meg, I hear you. But with chemical castration "he" can't get it up... do you follow the logic? That means 'his' power is gone... everybody knows that rape is not sex, but they still need the tool so to speak. Chemical castration is an answer regardless.
Meg
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 12:53 p.m.
If rape were a crime of sex, chemical castration might make sense and have shown results in research. Since it's a crime of power, it doesn't, and it hasn't.
Cathy Howard
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 6:43 a.m.
Women's organizations concerned with sexual assault and other forms of violence against women have been organizing and conducting Take Back the Night Marches and events in Ann Arbor since 1976. Unfortunately during the past 6 or 7 years attendance by the community in this has dwindled. Cuts in funding over the past decade has resulted in less safety precautions being implemented and spearheaded by the city to recognize and prevent sexual violence against women. Take Back the Night has not been focused on the latest rapist reported by the news - but the ongoing incidents of sexual violence that has been occurring in this community and I do mean the Ann Arbor community as well as the greater Washtenaw county community that most often goes unreported, un-arrested and unfortunately when caught under- sentenced so that they can do it again!
RJA
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
Wow! This is not Detroit, this is Ann Arbor! I'm concerned about the women returning to their cars also. I plan to stay clear of AA and Ypsilanti on march night!
jns131
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
Heck with that. If I am in the march? Caring a big sign? That dude better watch out for my big sign and my bear spray. Getting him would be worth the jail time. Or not.
Chandelle German
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 1:41 a.m.
I am worried about the women leaving the march, maybe this man will be waiting for his next victim! Who is going to walk all these people to their vehicles afterwards. I am steering clear of Downtown Ann Arbor.
David Paris
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 1:29 a.m.
Rebecca is doing exactly the right thing, bringing attention to the problem in a peaceful way. Congratulations Rebecca! However, the suggestion of bringing deadly force into the picture is completely laughable, as if Ann Arbor were some kind of Dodge City, or Tombstone AZ in the old Wild West. "The problem with this 'march'"... there isn't one, but the problem with these posters here is that maybe they just don't get out enough. Maybe you should come downtown and join us, we'd be glad to meet you ; )
2WheelsGood
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 12:59 a.m.
@ David If you really feel so strongly about people carrying weapons, I suggest you never leave the house. You pass people nearly every day who are carrying. You just don't know it. For that matter, there's this gang of 'thugs' speeding around town literally looking for trouble and carrying guns. You've probably heard of them. They're called police. Home is the only place you're safe. Well, unless someone breaks in.
Independent_Thinker
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 12:52 a.m.
Not sure where this quote came from: ""Totally unnecessary, and entirely the wrong approach. Please keep your guns at home, they are not welcome. I know, I know, I know, possessing a CCW, and carrying a gun makes YOU feel safe, but ONLY you, it does nothing positive for the rest of us, and you should accept that. Call me a hoplophobe if you want, I really don't care, just stay away from us with your "accidentwaitingtohappen"." .... but ... Why on Earth would you possibly think my carrying a handgun has anything to do with you or has any motive behind it to make you feel safe or keep you safe. I carry a handgun for my own protection, my family's protection, and possibly the protection of an innocent victim providing specific circumstances that would make it a suitable response. I do not carry one to feel cool. If you choose not to, that's your problem. The failure to realize that deadly force for your own protection is a necessary reality flies in the face of all of human history. Have you ever heard of this war called World War II or the perhaps Revolutionary War. I know all of you liberals love living in the safe aftermath if all of the fighting, but please, get real. There is only one answer to somebody using deadly force on you or attempting to do great bodily harm to you (including rape), and that answer is complete brutality towards you aggressor to defend life and limb. Gee David, I'll be sure I never pick you to have my back since you'll obviously be busy rolling over to anybody that shows the slightest bit of aggression towards you.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 12:38 a.m.
David David David, "Totally unnecessary, and entirely the wrong approach. Please keep your guns at home, they are not welcome. I know, I know, I know, possessing a CCW, and carrying a gun makes YOU feel safe, but ONLY you, it does nothing positive for the rest of us, and you should accept that. Call me a hoplophobe if you want, I really don't care, just stay away from us with your "accidentwaitingtohappen"." wow add revisionist to that growing list of admirable qualities...
David Paris
Fri, Jul 29, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.
@2wheelsgood- I like your username, but your singing is a little off tune. @ricebrnr- I didn't disinvite anyone, but if you bring a weapon, let me know and I'll stay home. @independent_thinker- "If you don't believe in using deadly force than you must not value your life." <--That is a common misconception!
Independent_Thinker
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
If you don't believe in using deadly force than you must not value your life. Statistics are oh so funny. Even if a gun was 6 times more likely to be used on you (which is not true), what that would indicate was that you were untrained, weak, unaware, not very athletic, and probably weak in most ways that a human can be weak. The stats would be reflective of you, not the gun. You'd probably also be more likely to drop a football or slip on the steps.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
"Maybe you should come downtown and join us, we'd be glad to meet you ; )" Apparently not as you have personally disinvited concerned sympathetic and otherwise very upstanding citizens who would have loved to march in solidarity with you. Law abiding citizens are not of your kind, I guess...
Davidian
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
Please cite the statistic where the gun is six times more likely to be turned on you. You can't because it's false. I survived a home invasion in 1995 for one reason: I was armed and I fought back. And guess what: Ann Arbor didn't descend into anarchy because a single citizen defended himself. The ones who believe deadly force is laughable...think about that and then think about being raped or murdered, and tell me which is more desirable.
2WheelsGood
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.
@ Meg That statistic is utterly ridiculous and completely made up. Please cite your source.
Meg
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 12:52 p.m.
2Wheels, as a rape survivor, I can tell you that considering that a firearm is six times more likely to be used against its owner than against a criminal, yes, the idea that deadly force solves issues is, in fact, laughable to me. How about changing a culture that supports objectification and assaulting women, instead of a childish attempt at macho gunplay?
Mariella
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 3:58 a.m.
Thanks for speaking on behalf of survivors, 2Wheels. We really can't speak for ourselves or anything...
2WheelsGood
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.
"However, the suggestion of bringing deadly force into the picture is completely laughable" That attitude is exactly what the criminal element is counting on and preying on. Ask most women who have been raped if deadly force is laughable. I bet not many of them would agree. Instead you figure this guy will turn himself in all teary-eyed after the march makes him realize what he's done? Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya; Kum bay ya, the Lord, kum bay ya; Kum bay ya, my Lord, kum bay ya, O Lord, kum bay ya.
Davidian
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 9:49 p.m.
In many other places, when there is a dangerous predator on the street, people arm themselves and refuse to be prisoners. Sometimes they take matters into their own hands and hunt the predator themselves. In Ann Arbor, people are....marching. I'm sorry: I can't understand what solidarity is going to accomplish. How will this catch the criminal? How will this empower anyone in a real-world situation (i.e. an attack)? What is the purpose of this? Do you think the rapist is going to announce himself? It won't even put the pressure on the police; the story has already gone national. Stop wasting your time "taking back the streets" and other hippie nonsense and start learning how to deal with predators with legal, deadly force!! The cops haven't helped 6 women so far, so it's on YOU.
redwingshero
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
If the suspect reads the news and sees this, won't that keep him from going out? Not to give this scum more attention that he already has gotten (he probably likes it-considering he didn't get this kind of attention from his mother...etc.) Great idea though and I hope it goes well.
AAAA
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 2:40 p.m.
Hopefully they will have police there scanning and/or taking pictures of the crowd. The predator(s) may show up there. I think a lot of these types of criminals get off on revisiting their crime scenes, following the stories in the media and seeing just how much they can get away with.
redwingshero
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:18 p.m.
Just hope they don't find some guy that fits the description and decide to lynch him regardless if he did it or not. ~Cue the clip of Nancy Grace and her sheep going after someone that looked like Casey Anthony when it wasn't.
USRepublic
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:15 p.m.
At least one sign at the "March" will most certainly read...... It's Bush's Fault!!!!
a2 Brute?
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 11:45 p.m.
Why do you people insist on blaming Bush for everything bad that happens!!!??? Anybody with a grain of intelligence knows it's Sarah Palin's fault.
KeepingItReal
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.
concernedcitizen: Back in the day, one did not have to worry about possible accusations about ones intention. That's not true today. you can easily be accused for trying to help out as though you are the criminal. I hope this perp is caught but I also hope that someone trying to an honest deed does not get caught up up in this mess.
jns131
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
Take back the street should have been organized way back when the 2nd one occurred. Sounds to me like the denizens of Ann Arbor are trying to put their heads in the sand and say, not our streets. Guess what Ann Arbor, it is happening and the women need to be more vigil. Don't wait on anyone else. Now, where is my bear spray.
jns131
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 5:21 p.m.
I don't live in Ann Arbor. Thats why. Besides why not you? You sound more organized them I am.
porchbear
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:56 p.m.
Why didn't you organize it then?
ConcernedCitizen
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
Back in the old days all the men would carry torches and guns and walk the streets to protect the women if something like were to happen. Right now all people who see a woman walking alone need to keep their eyes open with good intentions of catching this creep. Don't let it just be the creep who is keeping his eye on the women who are walking alone.
2WheelsGood
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 9:48 p.m.
@redwing Sure, as long as you don't touch campus property, but that's nearly impossible for the average AA resident, and it IS impossible for those who go to U-M.
redwingshero
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
Don't see how they were able to circumvent State law...
redwingshero
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:28 p.m.
Isn't walking in the street non-UofM property? Isn't the sidewalk to the road easement and not UofM property, thus allowing the open carry? If they want to scowl the campus grounds I see your point.
2WheelsGood
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
redwing, Michigan the state does, but Michigan the school doesn't... which is half of Ann Arbor.
redwingshero
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
@2wheels-MIchigan has an open carry law. I would be surprised if this posse wasn't packing.
trs80
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 7:43 p.m.
We have only modern society to blame.
2WheelsGood
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
Back in the old days, guns were actually allowed.
2WheelsGood
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
The problem with this 'march', and that it's all about one guy, is that it suggests once this guy is caught (if he ever is), people should go back to walking around in a fog. Bad people are everywhere, and they always will be. This guy is responsible for about 0.001% of the crime in Ann Arbor. He doesn't deserve his own special march.
2WheelsGood
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 9:18 p.m.
I never said it was inappropriate. Ineffective, yes. What will this march do to prevent another attack? Nothing. And you seem to be missing my point about posting in the first place. I have no problem with supporting victims, and I hope something is done to catch this guy, but he is hardly the only person committing acts of sexual violence. Look at some crime stats; sexual violence is not new or rare. So why aren't you marching every week in support of those who are sexually abused and assaulted? So again, my point is that people ALWAYS need to be vigilant about these sort of crimes... not just because it happens to be national news right now.
Mariella
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
2Wheels, why do you think it's inappropriate for people to march in support of survivors, but think it's OK to march to City Hall to call for more police protection (especially when you just said more police protection wouldn't solve the problem)? What do you have against supporting survivors?
2WheelsGood
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 11:02 a.m.
Um, yes, read my original post where I said: "bad people are everywhere, and they always will be". I have no delusions of a crime-free world because of a large police force. However, to suggest there's no relationship between crime and the size/effectiveness of law enforcement is ludicrous.
Mariella
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 : 3:56 a.m.
Don't you see that this isn't about politics? It's about showing support for survivors of sexual assault. If we had the largest police force in the nation, there would still be sexual assaults happening in Ann Arbor.
2WheelsGood
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
Mariella, where was the march on city hall showing AA's solidarity when they decided to cut more police? porchbear, I'm not suggesting people shouldn't be concerned about this guy. I'm suggesting they should ALWAYS be concerned.
Mariella
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.
I completely disagree. This march isn't about the rapist(s). It's about the A2 community showing solidarity.
porchbear
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 : 8:53 p.m.
Six sexual assaults in 2 weeks is hardly "0.001% of the crime in Ann Arbor." It's a huge problem, and I'm glad that someone is taking the initiative to organize something that might help.