Saturday march part of national movement

SANDPOINT — On Saturday, the third North Idaho Women’s March will keep up the momentum that began immediately after the presidential inauguration in 2017.

And while some contend that the first march was little more than a knee-jerk reaction to the election of Donald Trump, those whose feet keep hitting the pavement see something entirely different going on.

“There’s a movement happening and there’s a bigger picture here — women’s rights,” said march co-organizer Rebecca Holland. “The ball is moving and we’re going to make this happen.”

Fake news? Empty rhetoric? Apparently not, based on both turnout and results from the first two events.

“The first march in 2017 was the largest, one-day protest in U.S. history,” said Holland. “They figured there were about 4 million people who came together.”

Closer to home, the first protest packed the Panida Theater to the point where the throngs still waiting to get in were left huddling outside along First Avenue on a snowy day until the speechifying wrapped up and the march to City Beach began.

For 2018, about 1,000 people filled the Sandpoint Middle School gym in advance of the second annual march that took place under the theme: “First She Marched, Then She Ran.” It was a precursor to mid-term elections that saw an unprecedented number of women elected to Congress.

“The 2017 election was a platform, a motivator, a reality check that thrust this movement forward,” Holland said. “Then you look at the 2018 election and realize that it’s not just candidates with an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ or an ‘I’ beside their names — our gender is moving forward.”

This year’s theme is: “She Insists.” It’s a rallying cry, according to Holland, for those who see the momentum building and believe women should ride the wave for change and make women’s rights a reality.

“It’s time,” she said. “Women have gotten stronger, as a community of sisters, about collectively taking on the issues.”

Local march organizers state that Saturday’s gathering is meant to “celebrate diversity and promote a future of equality, justice, and compassion for all.” In that light, it aligns with human rights issues as closely as it does those associated with women’s rights. Either one comes with plenty of social and political grist for the mill, but taken together, they create a very big tent.

“It’s huge,” Holland agreed. “There’s a ton of issues you could take on.”

She makes the distinction, however, that the march is a rally, as opposed to a workshop or seminar, which means that the speakers and the march itself are not set up to be one-off, feel-good events. Instead, they are meant to create strength in numbers as they both educate and encourage community involvement.

Those who have felt like a voice in the wilderness, she explained, will find kindred spirits at the event and be invited to join the movement.

“That’s what the action tables are about,” said Holland, adding that several community groups will have information stations and representatives on hand to reach out to those who might want to take up a cause. “We want people to join us in thinking about what we can be doing for the rest of this year to make a difference.”

Speakers on hand for the pre-march segment of the event will include: Rebecca Cleveland-Schroeder, a healthcare advocate from Coeur d’Alene, who will be speaking on the accomplishment of passing Medicaid expansion and the work that lies ahead in Idaho; Corinne Capodagli, editor of the SHS Cedar Post newspaper and an SHS senior, who will share her generation’s perspective on the progress of women’s rights; and Sandpoint High School 1999 valedictorian Dr. Ryanne Pilgeram, an associate professor of anthropology and sociology at the University of Idaho, who will address the impact of rising intolerance and hate groups on our communities.

“And then we march,” said Holland. “And we make some noise. We’re encouraging people to bring drums and rhythm instruments and, of course, to bring their signs as a way to express their passion.

“But no obscenities on the signs,” she added, “or we’ll fix it with our little markers.”

Like the first two marches, this year’s event is not limited to women alone. Organizers point out that “like-minded brothers” also are invited to attend.

“We all need to broaden our awareness and advocate for progressive policies that will make our democracy work for all our citizens,” said Holland.

The march itself will follow a 1.5-mile route that offers ample visibility to the community, organizers said, with the actual route kept under wraps until marchers hit the streets.

Where funding is concerned, everyone is understandably interested in where the money comes from to support various causes these days. Holland said it’s an easy question to answer in the case of the North Idaho Women’s March.

“We’ve got nobody,” she said. “No corporate money, no underwriters. All we have is a donation jar and any money we raise through GoFundMe.”

The past two marches — along with attracting large crowds — have been family friendly affairs. Organizers have continued to take steps to ensure that remains the same for this year. For that reason, a number of trained “peacekeepers” will be on hand to immediately address and diffuse any potential problems.

“This is a non-violent event and we don’t want any confrontations, but our peacekeepers know how to handle that kind of situation if it comes up,” said Holland.

“This is going to be an empowering, uplifting and safe gathering of the community.”

The N. Idaho Women’s March III will be begin this Saturday, Jan. 19, with pre-march activities in the Sandpoint Middle School gym, 310 S. Division Ave., Sandpoint.

Doors open at 11 a.m., with speakers scheduled at noon and the march immediately following. Those attending are asked to wear soft soled shoes in the gymnasium as they visit the community action tables set up there.

To learn more or follow the event on social media, visit: #SHEINSISTS or the Facebook page for N. Idaho Women’s March III.

To donate, go online to gofundme.com.