The third annual women’s march took place in Lethbridge with the goal of being more inclusive than the previous two.
The march lasted about two hours and was attended by men and women from across different cultures and backgrounds.
It was an effort to reach out to the LGBTQ+ community and women of colour.
The issue of missing and murdered indigenous women cross Canada was also a focus of the march.
People displayed signs and flags voicing their concerns for the rights of women across Canada and all over the world.
Karen Hann, coordinator of the march said this year she hoped for a more diverse crowd.
“The big difference this year is that we did a lot of outreach, because last year it was very much the straight white women’s march, and that was not what we were seeking” Hann continued. “Lethbridge is a diverse place and we need to celebrate and honour that.”
One sign in particular displayed frustration that women’s rights are still a major issue, making marches like the one in Lethbridge necessary.
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Some attendees to the march expressed worry about what the future may hold for women’s rights should the Conservative party take power in Alberta or Canada as a whole.
“I’m concerned about a very misogynistic party getting into power later this year, that scares me. They want to cut budgets and the things they want to cut are things that disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups,” Hann said.
A speech at the rally made the intentions clear: solidarity with women and marginalized groups everywhere and until equality is reached the annual marches will continue.
Students from a local high school also attended the event and two students made speeches talking about the issues of inequality hurting women, people of colour and the LGBTQ+ community.
Hand-made rainbow hats were given out at the event, attendees could get one through cash donations, or a hug to Hann.
The hats were intended to be a symbol of support to the LGBTQ+ community, which Hann felt was left behind at previous women’s marches.
The event was attended by Maria Fitzpatrick, Lethbridge East’s MLA, who participated on behalf of herself and the community.
“My first women’s march was in 1996 and I’m fighting for the same things now that I was fighting for then. That’s about equality, pay equity, protecting our rights as a human being and our reproductive rights. I think those rights transcend many different groups,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think many people in our society feel like they’re being pressed down all the time and that’s what this march is about. It’s really about equality.”
She added that she is happy progress is being made, but feels it is too slow because there are people in power that don’t want things to change.
Coordinators of the event welcome everyone to attend the march to get their voices heard and to show solidarity with women and marginalized people everywhere.
