2019 Kamloops Women’s March hopes locals find inspiration to work towards equality

Jan 21, 2019 | 10:25 AM

KAMLOOPS — In 2017, the Women’s March began in part as a response to the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States of America, after tapes of him admitting to sexually assaulting women surfaced during the 2016 Presidential Campaign.

On Saturday, the third edition of the Women’s March took place across the globe, including here in Kamloops. For those who took part in the rally, the struggle towards equality for all remains an important message they hope to spread.

It was a beautiful day for a protest, as nearly 200 people gathered on the plaza outside Sandman Centre for the third annual Kamloops Women’s March. Co-organizer Alix Dolson says she was pleased with the number of people who attended.

“I’m really happy with [the turnout],” Dolson told CFJC Today. “It was great to see everyone out and standing up for equality in our community.”

As in previous years, marchers got creative with their signage, carrying placards conveying messages of equality, while calling for an end to toxic masculinity and the patriarchal bias in society.

Dolson says while the movement was started by women for women, it’s meant to raise the issue of equality for everyone.

“The barriers women face are not just because of gender,” she explained. “It intersects with your race and your sexuality and a whole bunch of other issues… Women in positions of privilege might not identify with the movement, but that doesn’t mean they don’t benefit from the changes we’re advocating for.”

She’s hopeful some the message of the march is able to reach those who might not have been able to attend

“Whether or not people were able to come today, they can take some inspiration from the messaging we had and take it into their own lives,” Dolson said.