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U.S. NEWS Monday 22 January 2018

Weekend of women’s marches promises continued momentum

By HAVEN DALEY and JOHN a member of the Coeur
LOCHER d’Alene Tribe, drew an im-
Associated Press mense cheer when she
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Thou- told the crowd she was run-
sands of people poured ning to be not only Idaho’s
into a football stadium in first female governor, but
Las Vegas on Sunday, the the first Native American
anniversary of women’s woman to be governor in
marches around the world, any state. She implored
to cap off a weekend of other women to join her in
global demonstrations that running for office.
promised to continue build- “This is Idaho’s future. This is
ing momentum for equal- the future of America,” she
ity, justice and an end to said.
sexual harassment. The demonstrations came
“This is a birthday party for at a time of reckoning for
a movement that has only many men in Hollywood,
begun to flex its power to the media and other indus-
change this democracy,” tries as women speak out
Anna Galland, the execu- about sexual misconduct
tive director of the progres- and inequity in general.
sive group moveon.org, Among the speakers in Las
told the boisterous crowd. Vegas was singer and ac- Cher speaks during a Women’s March rally Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018, in Las Vegas. Associated Press
Following marches that tress Cher. In Palm Beach, Florida, with their heads bowed. don protest co-organizer
drew huge crowds across “This is one of the worst
the U.S. on Saturday, one times in our history and home to Trump’s Mar-a-La- In the British capital Sun- Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
said. “This is so much more
go estate, several hundred day, demonstrators car-
year after President Don- that’s why I honestly be-
ald Trump’s inauguration, lieve that women are going people marched Saturday ried placards reading “We than Trump.’”
carrying anti-Trump signs. A Are Powerful” and “Time’s The London event drew
protesters gathered Sun- to be the ones that fix it,”
day on multiple continents, Cher told the crowd. “Stay group of women wearing Up” and chanted out- thousands of people de-
red cloaks and white hats side Prime Minister Theresa spite sleet and snow. Heavy
including in London, Paris, strong and remember if
Sydney, Madrid and Bue- you don’t have a vote, you like the characters in the May’s office as they raised rain fell on Paris protesters
grievances ranging from who gathered near the
book and television ver-
nos Aires. don’t have a voice.”
The events culminated with Those who took part in this sions of “The Handmaid’s workplace inequities to mi- Eiffel Tower, which could
Tale,” which imagines a sogynistic abuse on social have been a factor in the
the Las Vegas rally, which year’s events said they
launched an effort to reg- were galvanized by an future in which women’s media. small number of partici-
rights have been strictly lim-
“Today is a call for action to pants compared to the U.S.
ister 1 million voters and avalanche of political and
target swing states such as gender issues over the past ited, walked in formation bring about change,” Lon- marches on Saturday.q
Nevada in the U.S. midterm year, as well as the #MeToo
elections later this year, movement, which has
which could shift control of been credited with coun-
Congress. Organizers said tering widespread sexual
they are planning future abuse and misconduct.
events in Pennsylvania, Many of the marchers not
Ohio and Texas. only supported women’s
Paula Beaty, 53, a tech rights, but also denounced
worker from Durham, North Trump’s views on issues in-
Carolina, attended the Las cluding immigration, abor-
Vegas rally wearing an out- tion and LGBT rights. Dem-
fit recalling the women’s onstrators denounced
suffrage movement of the Trump’s views with colorful
early 20th century. She cit- signs and even saltier lan-
ed the difference women guage.
made in helping Democrat Trump dismissed the sug-
Doug Jones upset con- gestion that his presidency
servative Republican Roy has been bad for women.
Moore for a Senate seat in He tweeted Saturday that
Alabama in December. it was a “perfect day” for
“For us it’s all about wom- women to march to cel-
en’s rights and we’re see- ebrate the “economic suc-
ing them be eroded with cess and wealth creation”
Trump in office,” Beaty of his first year in office.
said. “The women made a “Get out there now to cel-
difference in Alabama and ebrate the historic mile-
we’re hoping we can flip stones and unprecedent-
the House and Senate with ed economic success and
the power of women.” wealth creation that has
There was also a push for taken place over the last
women to not just register 12 months,” the Repub-
as voters, but as candi- lican wrote. “Lowest fe-
dates. Democratic Idaho male unemployment in 18
state Rep. Paulette Jordan, years!”