Hundreds march for women's rights

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COEUR d’ALENE - Chants of “He he ho ho, your backwards views have got to go” and “Hey hey mister mister, keep your laws off my sister,” echoed from a crowd of more than 300 who gathered Saturday to join the Kootenai County Women's March.

The event, planned by Laura Tenneson, was held in direct response to the possibility that the Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade.

For Spirit Lake resident Pam Root, that possibility is frightening. Root was alerted to the event by her 15-year-old granddaughter, Aubrey, and came to support the future of women’s freedom, she said.

“It’s very unnerving when more than 70% of the population polled shows they do not agree with the decision for Roe to be overturned but they’re going to do it anyway,” Root said. “You have to think about the bigger picture and wonder what’s behind it -why this is being allowed to happen. It’s extremely concerning.”

Pearl Baker marched for women in 1973 in Los Angeles. Thousands of people stood alongside her that day, she said Saturday.

“I’m here for future generations. I did this 50 years ago and I’ll keep on doing it until the day I die,” Baker said.

Teresa Borrenpohl took to the megaphone before the march started.

“What’s most important in this moment right now is to know that you are not alone,” Borrenpohl said. “Look around you. The first time I came to one of these I was so emotional because I realized my neighbors are with me. That was inspiring because it let me know that I could act with confidence.”

The issue isn't about babies, though the “other side” would have people believe it is, Borrenpohl said.

“If this was about babies we wouldn’t have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed nations,” Borrenpohl said. “If this was about babies there wouldn’t be as many children in the foster care system. We’d be taking care of children.

“The other side will also tell you that in Texas they’re considering the death penalty for women who seek abortions. So pro-life they’ll try and kill you,” Borrenpohl said.

Nor is the issue about religion, Borrenpohl said.

“My doctor’s office isn’t big enough for the government, Jesus and me,” she said. “This is about bodily autonomy. This is about human rights.”

Marchers carried signs saying “pregnancy starts with a penis, regulate that.” Betsy Kovatch's signs read: “I will not go quietly back to the 1950s,” and “Same crap, different century.”

For mother and daughter Karine Nelson and Aimee Croteau, and their friend Lynn Fleming, metal coat hangers dangling on their shirt fronts communicated their message.

“Don’t take away the choice,” Nelson said. “It’s no one else’s business what women choose to do.”

The march was carried out peacefully, though there were a few protesters standing along the route. One man, who declined to give his name, refuted the idea of women’s autonomy in making medical decisions.

“My body, my choice is simply not true,” he said.

Tenneson announced the third annual women’s march a week ago. She said engagement on the Kootenai County Women’s March Facebook page was three times higher than they’ve seen for past marches.

“I’m just so happy that so many people showed up to make their voices heard,” she said. “We live in a really red community. It’s really important that we know that we’re not alone. Even though we’re not the majority, we have many, many neighbors who are willing to stand up and put their foot down, and make their voices heard.”

Marchers walked 1.6 miles to the Kootenai County Courthouse and gathered briefly outside before disbanding.