By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Recent events add fire and momentum to the “March On” movement

Jan 20, 2018 | 12:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The crowd for the “March On“ Lethbridge gathering on Saturday (Jan 20) wasn`t as large as the event on Jan 21, 2017, on Mayor Magrath Drive.  However, it was just as enthusiastic and the rallying cry just as loud, with passing motorists `honking` in support.
 
In spite of the cold west wind, almost 200 people – men, women and children — of all backgrounds and ages, showed up along the sidewalk west of the Multicultural Centre on 6th Avenue south.
 
The rally was to continue the efforts that began at this time last year, when more than half a million women gathered in Washington, to protest words and remarks from Donald Trump, who had just been inaugurated as U.S. president.  His utterings and attitudes about women included boasts of a sexual assault, that had been revealed on a leaked recording.
 
Similar marches took place all across the U.S. and Canada, involving men and women. The importance of the rallies, is underscored by a tsunami of societal events from the `Me Too` movement to the assault scandals and stories of inappropriate behavior sweeping the entertainment industry.
 
The cries of outrage were brought to a crescendo early this month, when Oprah Winfrey accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes, and declaring — the reign of abusive men is coming to an end: “Their time is up!”.
 
Let`s be realistic here.  This isn`t about demeaning and degrading `Men` in the plural sense.  This is about stopping “abusive“ men or anyone who has a choke-hold of power over others. And, this isn`t just about the entertainment industry. Any woman can tell you that the behaviors and abuses which have been laid bare in that industry, are happening in every profession! Many women in many professions have had to endure sexual harassment in the least and assaults on their dignity, at the worst.
 
Lethbridge-East MLA Maria Fitzpatrick attended Saturday`s march in Lethbridge, because she`s been a women`s advocate and has been fighting for equality for women for years.
 
“It`s finally becoming visible and you can put your hands on it and people are coming out and saying `- we need to be treated equally, treated with respect, we need to be not demeaned because we`re women – and I think this is a real statement here in Lethbridge to stop violence against women, sexual violence, domestic violence“.
 
Doreen Brazier was also an enthusiastic participant of the local rally.  She belongs to CFUW, the Canadian Federation of University Women, and felt it was important to show the group’s support.
 
“I`m marching for the young people coming up and I think there`s a big movement on now with the “Me Too“ movement and women are empowered – I walked last year, and I just felt the empowerment“.
 
Brazier admitted the experience of the marches was new for her, but she was ecstatic to see so many people of different ages involved, including, as she put it, “old people like me and young people“.
 
After the march the rally continued inside the Multicultural Centre, with the “Lethbridge Living Library“, an interactive event from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  About 15 different organizations were assembled from within the community to offer work shops and information on social justice, equality and human rights. It was an opportunity to help people decide how they could get involved in areas of interest to them.
 
Given the momentum of the movement, it is not likely to die down.  Or, as Oprah stated, `Time`s up`!