Winnipeggers hit the streets in Take Back the Night march

Hundreds of people took to the streets of Winnipeg's North End on Thursday night for the annual Take Back the Night march.

This year's event has added meaning for some participants, following the discovery of Tina Fontaine's body in the Red River in August.

Fontaine, 15, had been missing for over a week before her body was found inside a bag in the river near the Alexander Docks.

A volunteer group, Drag the Red, started searching the river this week in the hopes of finding clues in more cases involving missing and murdered aboriginal women.

"I will not be next," said Cambria Harris, 13, who took part in the Take Back the Night march.

Added Julia Forbister, also 13, "It kind of gets me nervous and I just don't want to be next."

March organizer Mandy Fraser, who works with victims of sexual abuse, says she sees too many women who fear for their safety on Winnipeg's streets.

"These are neighbourhoods that aboriginal women are actually going missing from, and the police are aware of that," she said while walking along the march route.

"We want to show some solidarity with the communities and people who make these neighbourhoods their home."

Those who took part in Thursday's march say they will march every year until the violence stops.