Fredericton Women’s March fights to make gender equality a “norm”
On January 20th, women wearing pink hats and people holding signs stood in front of City Hall. It was the second annual Women’s March, which began last year in response to Donald Trump’s inauguration. The Fredericton chapter of Women’s March Canada organized its own event bringing in a crowd of over 200 demonstrators.
Women and allies in many countries march on the same day to recognize progress and show they aren’t backing down until gender equality is achieved.
“It’s to celebrate. To celebrate woman’s lives, and women’s strength, and women’s power.” Says organizer Susan O’Donnell.
She says the event came at an appropriate time following the #MeToo movement. Prompted by the many celebrity sexual assault claims, the movement made its way from Hollywood to people around the world. Thousands of women stood in solidarity to show that they too had been sexually harassed or assaulted by men.
“At the height of the Me Too movement. You’d open the paper and there’d be like another five stories about women going through horrendous experiences.” Says O’Donnell.
As the march began, demonstrators filled the sidewalks holding up traffic. They held signs and chanted phrases such as “Hey ho hey ho the patriarchy has got to go!” and “Say it once, say it again, there’s no excuse for violent men!”
The march highlighted the issues of health, economic security, safety, and representation. An emphasis was placed on making equality a “norm.” Imelda Perley, Elder in Residence at UNB, opened the ceremony.
“We can take our one mind, our one vision, our one heart, and walk together in peace, friendship and unity within diversity.” She told the crowd.
Kate Rogers, member of Fredericton City Council, also spoke. She shared her experiences as the only female City Council member out of thirteen. Her story shows that female representation in politics is still unequal and she pushed for this to change.
The march encouraged women, men, and children to come together to fight for an equal and safe space for all. It started off 2018 with hope and empowerment for the future of women’s rights as demonstrator Julianne Richard explains:
“It brings us together, and I think knowing that after you go home and log on to social media and see everyone who was doing the same thing as you [is] really empowering.”
