Protesters at the Athens Women’s March stand in front of city hall on Oct. 17. Community members Iva King and Rhonda Helms organized the rally in partnership with the National Women’s March as one of over 380 other rallies across the U.S. “(Rallies like these) bring people together, and it puts the word out that there are people that are concerned and are ready to do something about the situation,” community member and protest attendee Melanie Smith (not pictured) said. Photo by Natalie Schliekelman
The Athens Women’s Rally for Unity, held on the steps of the Athens-Clarke County City Hall on Saturday, was one of over 380 groups throughout the U.S. to participate in the National Women’s March.
The event was organized by community members Iva King and Rhonda Helm.
“There wasn’t (a march) happening here in Athens, and it seems like there should’ve been. So when I saw that there was only two rallies in Georgia, I thought ‘we need to have one here,’” King said. “I signed up about two and a half weeks ago to organize it, so I’ve been scrambling ever since. I’ve been so excited I’ve found partners to help me.”
The 13 speakers at the event included a variety of women with different careers, agendas and races.
According to an event schedule, the rally started with an opening from Helms and King. The event featured, in order of speaking, Jeanette Rankin Foundation co-founder Margaret Holt, District 117 State Representative candidate Mokah Jasmine Johnson, Athens-Clarke County District Attorney candidate Deborah Gonzalez, ACC commissioner Ovita Thornton, Ga. Senate candidate Dawn Johnson, U.S. army veteran Chaplain Cole Knapper, ACC commissioner Mariah Parker, Moms Demand Action representative Emma Jones, Athens attorney Imani Carter and Commissioner Elect Carol Myers. The event was interspersed with chants led by organizers and drumming from the Palms of Fire.
North Oconee High School freshman Lydia Peck believes that rallies such as the Women’s March are a way for women to speak up about issues that affect them.
“As a queer woman, it’s really important for me to speak up not only for myself, but for my friends and family,” Peck said. “Our country needs a lot of help, but I believe that it’s possible, especially with how strong us women are. (We need) more action with not only women, from men and from different communities. It all depends on more people educating themselves and reaching out.”
To 70-year-old community member Gena Ross, protests are a step towards bringing people together to fight a common goal.
“I never thought that I would live long enough to see a man such as the man that we have sitting in the Oval Office. We all have to come together, regardless if you’re a democrat, you’re republican, or independent. The more we stand up, speak up and be persistent, eventually change will happen,” Ross said. “I have to have hope. I want to be proud of America, and I think we can get there.”
Looking back at the event, King was pleased with the event and their roster of speakers.
“It went better than I could have ever imagined. We (had) all these amazing women speakers. I could not have asked for a better mix,” King said. “(With events like these), we can bring people together. ”
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