Thousands Set To Attend Vigil Tomorrow Night At Site Of Eurydice Dixon’s Death

Pia Cerveri turned to a colleague on Thursday afternoon and asked them whether it would be a good idea to get a few dozen people down to Princes Park to hold a vigil, days after the tragic death of Eurydice Dixon.

“We’d had a lot of approaches from people because we work with the women’s team,” Cerveri, a member of the women’s and equality team at the Victorian Trades Hall Council, told Junkee. “On Thursday night we communicated again and decided to set up the event.”

“By morning it had really taken off.”

And it had: as of Sunday afternoon, almost 30,000 people have clicked “going” or “interested”on the Facebook event organised by Cerveri and the council.

“We had seen on social media how much anger, sadness, frustration, grief — all of those emotions — were being expressed, everywhere,” Cerveri explained. “It felt like the community really needed an outlet to come together.”

The vigil will kick off at 6pm at Princes Park, and the organisers hope that it serves as a time for quiet reflection and “quiet resistance”.

“There won’t be any long speeches at this event,” the Facebook event description reads. “We want to hold a quiet space and come together in a vigil for Eurydice.”

Those attending will light candles both in solidarity with Dixon, and as a reminder of the supportive community around them.

“I think it’s partly about solidarity, and partly about coming together in the space to stand together and remind ourselves of the community that does exist,” Cerveri said. “The good community, the love, the hope and the compassion that exists in our community. It is to pay respect to Eurydice without a doubt — and to be mindful that our experience is nothing in comparison to what her family is going through.”

Earlier in the week, a man was charged with raping and murdering Dixon as she walked home from a comedy performance. Her body was found at Princes Park.

In addition to remembering Dixon, the organisers do hope to send a message about female empowerment on the night.

“Our bottom line is that no matter what, it’s up to men to not stalk, rape, harass and murder women wherever they are. The bottom line is that. We are members of the community. We should be able to get home safely and not need to think before we cross a dark park.”

Vigils are also being held in Sydney, Bendigo, Ballarat and Albany.