Vigils around the country taking place for murdered comedian Eurydice Dixon
Vigils will be held around the country to pay respects to murdered Melbourne comedian Eurydice Dixon, found dead in an inner-Melbourne park last week.
Tens of thousands are expected to gather across “sister” memorial events to be held nationally to coincide with Monday night’s Reclaim Princes Park vigil, at the Carlton North soccer field where the 22-year-old’s body was found.
More than 30,000 people on Facebook had said that they were either interested or would be attending the Melbourne event, which begins at 5.30pm.
The idea of the Melbourne vigil is that everyone should be able to walk safely around the city.
The idea prompted a number of “sister” vigils planned to take place concurrently around regional Victoria, as well as Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Albany, Hobart and Launceston on Monday. Others, including Brisbane and Canberra, are slated for later in the week.
Ms Dixon was raped and killed on her way home from a comedy show at the Highlander Bar in the CBD five nights ago.
She reportedly sent her boyfriend a message saying “I’m almost home safe” but never made it.
Jaymes Todd, 19, later handed himself into police and was charged with her rape and murder.
Memorial site for slain comedian Eurydice Dixon vandalised with ‘vile and offensive’ symbol
‘It could have been me’: GoFundMe page for Eurydice Dixon’s family raises $63,000
Woman’s chilling final message before being found dead on soccer field
‘Women don’t need to change’: Premier’s powerful Facebook post after aspiring comedian’s death
Comedian identified as woman found dead on Melbourne soccer field
The attack has prompted an outpouring of grief and anger about violence against women.
“We all should be able to walk home, whenever we want, wherever we want, and assume we will make it home safe,” the organisers of Monday night’s Melbourne Reclaim Princes Park vigil said on Facebook
“Our bodies are not there for taking. It is not up to us to keep ourselves safe when we know it’s up to men to choose not to inflict violence upon us.”
The City of Melbourne, state government and police are expected to meet on Monday to discuss community safety following the incident.
“This is a tragic reminder, if we needed any reminding, that violence against women is still a feature of contemporary Victorian society. We shouldn’t settle for that,” Premier Daniel Andrews told reporters on Sunday.
Ahead of the Princes Park vigil, vandals overnight defaced a memorial at the site with a “vile and offensive” symbol.
A team of firefighters worked urgently on Monday morning with high-pressure hoses to remove the 20-25m shape, described by Sunrise as “vile and offensive”, next to Ms Dixon’s floral tribute.
‘Reclaim the Park’ vigils planned around the country:
To support Eurydice Dixon’s family, visit the GoFundMe page.
