Women’s March highlights support for human rights

Ocean Shores event coincides with marches across the country

An estimated 150-200 people marched through Ocean Shores and gathered at the Convention Center to hear numerous speakers, civic and citizen activists on Saturday for the second annual Women’s March in support of human rights.

The march coincided with marches around the country and came on the day after the federal government was shut down by a stalemate in Congress. Many of the marchers carried signs that protested the current Trump administration, and one carried by a young girl said, “Tweet women with equality.”

Other signs carried in the march:

• “Health care is a human right.”

• “I stand with immigrants and against racisim.”

• “Women’s rights are human rights.”

• “Give dreamers path to citizenship NOW.”

• “Our revolution, Democracy Rising, this is not a protest. This is a movement.”

• “Moms make America great.”

“This is what it’s all about — getting each other through,” said co-organizer Shannon Vandenbush before the start of the march, when many speakers told stories of how they had survived issues such as gender-based or work place discrimination and harassment.

“We have so many issues, so many stories,” she said. The march was hosted by the group Coastal Unity, a grassroots organization that formed last year, along with Washington Women Move Mountains and partner organizations that “work to advance women’s right and human rights.”

Another theme was to encourage and promote voter registration to be an active political force in future elections.

Grays Harbor County Auditor Chris Thomas was on hand for the pre-march presentations, and he noted voter registration was one of his duties of office.

There is a local election coming up Feb. 13, with the North Beach School District levy on the ballot among the issues in Grays Harbor County.

“I am here as your County Auditor to assist the citizens who will participate in the Democratic process,” Thomas said.

“This is an opportunity. If you know of anyone who has been marginalized and hasn’t register to vote, do anything you can to get them into that office or online, or to a Grays Harbor League of Women Voters event,” Vandenbush said.

Lisa Chappel of the League of Women Voters also encouraged those who participated in the march to take an active role in the league’s events too. The league meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. downstairs in the Hoquiam Library.

“We are all about voter rights, educating voters, ending gerrymandering and making sure everyone has the opportunity to vote,” Chappel said.

Speakers also addressed issues such as environmental justice and civil rights, with groups such as Friends of Grays Harbor and Indivisible Ocean Shores.

“We believe that every person and every community in our nation has the right to clean water, clean air and access to and enjoyment of public lands,” said Elizabeth Davis. “We believe that our environment and our climate must be protected, and that our land and natural resources cannot be exploited for corporate gain or greed — especially at the risk of public safety and health.”

Another local speaker, Felicia Mullins, called for an end “to the cycle of violence” in society as someone who has experienced sexual assault and harassment, and she then asked the audience to raise their hands for women and in support of women. A sea of hands were raised in the air.

“Every day, you go out in your community, and you go off to work and to your family, you raise your hand and you stand by women,” Mullins said.

Women’s March highlights support for human rights
Women’s March highlights support for human rights
Women’s March highlights support for human rights
Women’s March highlights support for human rights
Women’s March highlights support for human rights
Women’s March highlights support for human rights
Angelo Bruscas/North Coast News: The Women’s March started at the Ocean Shores Convention Center on Saturday Jan. 20.

Angelo Bruscas/North Coast News: The Women’s March started at the Ocean Shores Convention Center on Saturday Jan. 20.

Women’s March highlights support for human rights

Angelo Bruscas/North Coast News: The Women’s March started at the Ocean Shores Convention Center on Saturday Jan. 20.