Support shown for Blair County Women’s March
Signs bore slogans such as “The present is female”?and “Make America kind again”
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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Wearing pink hats and carrying signs that broadcasted messages of equality, a group of women and their supporters marched Saturday along the roads in Blair's county seat.
They did so as part of the second annual Blair County Women's March.
"The goal is to really show that there are people in Blair County who believe in progressive values," said event organizer Gillian Kratzer, who chairs the Blair County Democratic Committee.
The local march -- sponsored by Indivisible Blair County and Blair County Federation of Democratic Women -- was one of many similar events held across the country, including in Washington, D.C.
"Basically, we are looking to support the rights of women," said Aaron Wagner, Indivisible Blair County's president.
The marches come at a time when sexual harassment in the workplace and equal-pay arguments have dominated national media.
Wagner said it's important to highlight injustices perpetrated against women and to advocate for change.
"'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,'" Wagner said, quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Wagner said he and other men should be equally concerned for women's rights, with sisters, mothers, wives and female friends in mind.
"If we won't stand up for them, who will?" he asked.
Ali Zawoyski of State College said she decided to travel to Hollidaysburg to participate in the march after watching news coverage of last year's events.
"Last year's women's march kind of inspired me to get involved more politically," she said. "I hope this movement keeps going."
Hundreds of others felt the same way as they gathered in front of the Blair County Courthouse on Saturday.
Many carried signs saying things like "honk if you support women's rights," and "the present is female."
The signs were meant to draw attention as marchers made their way from the courthouse to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees building nearly 2 miles away in Duncansville.
"That visibility is so important," Zawoyski said.
Deb Bunnell of Hollidaysburg carried a sign that read, "make America kind again" -- a riff on President Donald Trump's campaign slogan.
"I think Trump is setting a horrible example for our children with his rudeness and implied racism," Bunnell said.
Bunnell said she felt compelled to march Saturday, showing that not everyone supports those ideals, even in a Republican-dominated area like Blair County.
"People say this is 'Trump Country,'" she said, pointing out that there are many locals who have differing political beliefs. "Though we are not the majority, there are a lot of us."
Donna Cohen of the Blair County Federation of Democratic Women referenced the same crowd in her rallying speech, which started the march.
"Hello woman of power," she said, addressing the crowd. "There is power in numbers, and I can see the numbers right now."