Iluka to lead #ICANTKEEPQUIET protest song for Women’s March Sydney

As part of Women’s March Sydney, activists and allies will take to Hickson Rd Reserve (across from the Sydney Opera House) on April 8 to maintain momentum around gender equality issues and gender-based violence, with a host of music acts taking part in the initiative.

The #ICANTKEEPQUIET project is dedicated to celebrating women’s unique voices and identities, in an effort to break the cycles of oppression and fear. It is a global effort, with individuals and choirs around the world activating at a specific time to let their voices be heard.

“Choirs and individuals will activate at 1pm in their respective time zones to sing out, speak up, and express themselves,” said Kate Taylor, co-founder of Women’s March Sydney. “Choirs and bands interested in getting involved in the Sydney action are encouraged to register their interest prior to the event.”

The #ICANTKEEPQUIET choir will sing the cathartic and anthemicQuiet, written by Los Angeles-based indie-pop artist MILCK, who herself suffered abuse, anorexia and depression in the past.

Local indie-pop artist and #ICANTKEEPQUIET ambassador Iluka spoke to Women’s March Sydney about her involvement in the project.

“I can’t keep quiet because when I look around I see girls and women who don’t feel empowered, who don’t feel like they can take up space and certainly like their voices don’t matter, so why speak up?” Ilukasaid.

“That is why I know I have a responsibility to speak up and speak out.”

We are thrilled to announce that @ilukamusic will be leading our #icantkeepquiet performance on April 8 – https://t.co/lXfMiSdFBd pic.twitter.com/UORUlabK7x

— Women’s March Sydney (@womensmarchsyd) March 29, 2017

Alongside them, Women’s March Sydney has secured a stellar lineup of artists and performers for Saturday’s event, featuring rock-pop band RACKETT, Lou Millar (Twin Caverns), Siobhan Poynton (SCABZ), and theatre actor Erica Lovell of Women in Theatre and Screen (WITS).

The upcoming event will build on a number of women’s rights demonstrations that have taken place in recent months. Notably, the Women’s Marches took place in January in cities around the world in a bid to advocate legislative and policy change for women’s rights, with an estimated worldwide involvement of 5 million.

For more information on the event and instructions on how to register, visit the Women’s March Sydney website.