The morning after Donald Trump’s inauguration was met with the Women's March on Washington.
Hundred of “sister marches” across the globe were organized in solidarity with the January 21st protest. Kamloops community members gathered for their own version of the march to raise awareness of women’s and other civil rights being threatened by the Trump administration.
Organizers Carlin Bolt and Angela Frye marvelled at the outpouring of support from the community.
In the planning of this event, Frye said “We heard about the March in Washington, and we wanted to be a part of that.” Like many others, Angela felt helpless and discouraged by the election results, and wanted to help create a solution. “We wanted to offer a safe space for people to come and exercise their rights peacefully.”
American-born, Frye has family still living in the States, who were also participating in marches. “I didn’t want to be complacent. I want to be on the right side of history. We need to find a way to move forward together.”
The march commenced outside City Hall with a moment of silence at 10am. Several speakers set the tone for the march with messages of hope, love and activism.
Barbara Nederpel, President of Kamloops and District Labour Council for the BC Federation of Labour, Charlene Eden, Agency Coordinator for the Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre, Nancy Bepple, Candidate for NDP Kamloops-South Thompson, Amy Baskin from the ASK Wellness Society and LGBTQ representative Taylor captivated the crowd with heartfelt, action-based speeches that challenged the misogynist, racist, and homophobic rhetoric that the new presidential administration spouts.
Following the march, the crowd sang O Canada, and signed a commitment to remain steadfast in their solidarity, with an oath penned by social activist and filmmaker Michael Moore:
“We pledge ourselves to speak out non-violently in every way possible against the politics of hate violence and exclusion.”
The Washington march boasted 500,000 participants.
