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Women Band Together to Raise Awareness

By Joyce Kryszak

Buffalo, NY – A sexual predator who terrorized several women in the Gates Circle neighborhood has one group of women walking the sidewalks to raise awareness. A mass walk and rally was held at Bidwell and Elmwood Sunday night by a new group called "Walking Eyes."

The string of attacks sent women all over the city back into their homes at night. According to police, the predator is still at large. But that hasn't stopped Rebekah Williams and some other women from hitting the sidewalks each night.

Williams is the founder of "Walking Eyes." She and a group of about seven women began walking after the attacks started to raise awareness of the danger. Williams said she was tired of being afraid.

"Walking Eyes" rallied last night to increase awareness. And Williams said they will continue to walk together one night each week. They will spread out from the Elmwood neighborhood to include other streets, including Potomac and others where attacks have occurred.

Williams said she hopes the group will be a model for other neighborhoods.

The concept is currently replicated in Buffalo on one night each year. As part of the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities, "Take Back the Night" is being held Thursday night beginning at 7:00 PM on UB's South Campus.

Anyone interested in participating with the weekly "Walking Eyes" group can email them at walkingeyes@gmail.com.

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