As Thousands Gather for Eurydice Dixon, Trolls Continue Their Attack

Last night, an estimated 10,000 people gathered in Melbourne’s Princes Park for a candlelit vigil to remember Eurydice Dixon. Eurydice was raped and murdered last week while walking home through the park. The event was also widely seen as a way for the Melbourne community to reclaim the space. Among the crowd were friends, family, locals and strangers. Sister vigils were also held around the country. In the days since Eurydice’s death, the crime has become a flash point for a national conversation around violence against women.

Organisers at the Melbourne event chose to forgo speeches, saying that while political action was needed this gathering was in love and remembrance for the local comedian. Rather the crowd joined a choir to sing "Hallelujah."

Upsettingly, hours after the memorial site was vandalised, trolls were still on the attack. In the lead up to the gathering, the event’s Facebook page was dealing with a flood of abusive and vile comments. Speaking to The Signal, moderators said they had been desperately trying to remove the abuse. Organiser Megan Bridger-Darling reflected on those attacking the event saying, "They're sick of talking about gender equality, and sick of having to take lessons about how to be nice to ladies.”

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