Hundreds Gather, March in St. Cloud Against Violence Toward Women [AUDIO, VIDEO]

ST. CLOUD - If you happened to be near Barden Park at St. Cloud State University last night, you definitely noticed row after row of colorful, hand-painted t-shirts, strung from tree to tree.

Each bore a very personal and powerful message from a survivor of violence.

It was the national "Take Back the Night" festival against domestic and sexual assault, and nearly 300 community members joined together last night to speak out.

Survivors were encouraged to step on stage and share their stories alongside live music and informational displays from local law enforcement, the central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center, and Anna Marie's Alliance.

The finale was a group march into downtown St. Cloud.

Brianna Flood is an intern at Anna Marie's, and the coordinator of this year's "take back the night." She says that the goal of the march is to highlight the right of women to walk unafraid.

Flood says "Take Back the Night" happens yearly, after months of planning and coordinating with the city and local law enforcement.

"Take Back the Night," observed all over the United States, is in it's 22nd year.

"Take Back the Night" St. Cloud, Sept 29, 2011 - YouTube.