Kitsap women partook in largest protest in U.S. history

About 5 million people worldwide in more than 670 separate locations stood up and marched together in solidarity for women’s rights on Jan. 21.

Somewhere between an estimated 3.2 million and 4.8 million marched in the United States alone, forming what was probably the largest protest in U.S. history. (Statistics courtesy of Jeremy Pressman with the University of Connecticut and Erica Chenowith with the University of Denver. Available online at goo.gl/90kxrA.)

The Women’s March was centered in Washington, D.C., but there also were marches in London, Budapest, Paris — and even demonstrators in Antarctica.

Seattle was also home to one such demonstration that had an estimated 125,000 people marching in support of women’s rights. Quite a few of those women — and men — from Kitsap County.

“I thought it was pretty amazing to see,” said Keri Roberts of Bremerton. “There was a huge group of people I knew and a whole bunch of women I didn’t know, but met that day.”

Through related community events like Dylan Fabric’s suffragette flag sewing event and Facebook groups, many Kitsap women who’d never met before organized to go to the march together on the Bremerton-Seattle ferry. Some went on their own, with family, or met friends from other places and went with them.

“I went alongside my 2-year-old daughter carried in her carrier by her father, a vocal Trump supporter, and his little sister,” said Jennifer Sutton of Bremerton. “It was a march for us to all put our opinions aside and march for the good we all want to see in this world that this administration puts in danger. (My husband) marched for our daughter and for her rights.”

The organizers of Seattle’s Womxn’s March expected around 50,000 people; the number was more than doubled (organizers of the Seattle event opted to spell “women” with an “x” to acknowledge the impact of discrimination based not only on gender identity but also race, sexual orientation, nationality, class, faith and disability).

“It was so much bigger,” Bremerton resident Marcie Mathis said. “I guess I wasn’t expecting to have such a big crowd that I could even really see them all. It wasn’t like being in a stadium where you can kind of see everybody. The crowd size was overwhelming.”

And the atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive.

“It was amazing, the amount of support I saw,” Roberts said. “I do not recall one moment of negativity. Every person I saw on the sides of the roads were shouting in support, honking their horns, waving their own flags and signs.”

Sutton said, “While marching down Jackson, we were overlooked by the neighbors in condos and homes as we passed by, all waving and cheering. Some posted signs in their windows … there was so much love.”

“It was inspiring and motivating to see so many people come together peacefully to support not just women’s rights, but human rights in general,” said Andi Buescher of Bremerton. “I feel the community response was very positive and supportive. Several people along the route cheered us on from their windows and storefronts. Getting on the ferry, there were similar reactions.”

Every single woman who spoke with the Bremerton Patriot had her own personal reasons for attending the march. Here are some of their stories:

Marcie Mathis, Bremerton

“I was feeling a little bit threatened by some of the proposed changes to healthcare, especially as it affects women, but also in diversity actions. It was great to be around so many other women and feeling supported and a little bit empowered.

“I think the number of people that marched all over the country was very positive. My mom and one of my nieces marched down in San Diego. A couple of my cousins marched in Santa Cruz. It kind of helped me feel connected to them, too, and part of the whole, bigger movement.

“I’m already fairly active in the community on LGBT+ issues. But this one hits close to home, too.

“I think it’s important that we showed up in these numbers and that we’re not going to just take it. We’re going to stand up for our rights and try to make our new president hear us, and know that we’re here and that we did vote, and we’re still speaking up.”

Tamara Clough, Seabeck

“I’m an African American woman, and my reasoning for marching was because the day that Trump got elected, I cried. I cried so hard.

“I did like that the march had other things that people were marching for. You had Native Americans who were there, you had Muslims, blacks, gay people — you had so many people there. I felt that whatever your cause was, you had somebody there to march with. You weren’t completely alone.

“I have four children, and three of them are girls … I’ve always taught my daughters to be proud of themselves and proud of their bodies … it’s been hard. I felt like I wanted them to understand that it’s hard to stand up for your rights, but you’ve got to do it. It’s hard to get people to know where you’re coming from.

“A lot of my friends who are white were wondering, ‘What are you doing? You’re going against the country. They’re going to see that we’re divided.’ A lot of it was, ‘but what about people in other countries who don’t have rights?’ But we don’t have rights. Right here.

“We have a long way to go … we’ve been doing this for a lot of years as black people. We’ve been trying to get rights. I’m on board to help in their efforts, which are also my efforts. But I hope that the women that came out for the march also come out for other people.”

Keri Roberts, Bremerton

“When I first heard about it, I had a lot of concerns that maybe it would just turn into an anti-Trump march. I didn’t want it to be that. I wanted it to be focused on an issue. Women’s issues have always been something (important to me). Women are still not treated equally and fairly worldwide. It’s not just America. That’s kind of why I went.

“I think that if we’re going to effect change in any way in our communities, we need to be willing to put ourselves out there and be active. (This was a way for me to say), I stand up for women around the world, I want to make the world a better place, not just for me, but for the next generation.

“I just wish we could all agree to disagree, and respect one another, even if we’re all different.

“I am looking forward to what the next steps are. We talked a lot about what are our next steps. We don’t want it to just end there. We want to do more.”

Jennifer Sutton, Bremerton

“Personally, I marched for Planned Parenthood and No to the Dakota Access Pipeline.

“The moments that stuck out was how many people were there just at the park alone as we waited for everyone to show up still. The crowd had a light roar because of the many discussions most of the march. Private security and the Seattle police were fantastic when it came to marching. All of a sudden, someone from an upper balcony turned his speakers up as high as he could and played, ‘Get up, stand up’ by the late Bob Marley. It gave me goosebumps … it just solidified that we the people sure as hell can!

“There was just so much love, this whole feminism blanket people so easily put over this march doesn’t even begin to explain the impact every one of us I’m sure had that day. The one clear message was … this is just the beginning. This is our democracy, and we won’t go quietly.”

Hillary Kimsey, East Bremerton

“I went because I honestly felt that I couldn’t not go. My boss asked me to come in to work that day, but I shared that I’d been planning to march since the election and respectfully asked if someone could take my place. Going to this event consumed me; I actually dreamed about it several times. The day of the election … I just knew I was about to see this glass ceiling shattered. When Trump’s victory became clear, I remember sitting on my couch, just bending over my laptop and weeping.

“I marched not only for myself and my fellow women, whose rights I felt would be in danger from Trump’s administration, but for all marginalized groups I felt would be threatened by his dangerous rhetoric: racial minorities, Muslims, immigrants, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community and the military, who he could order to commit war crimes.

“The Womxn’s March was important to me because I believe we are in the midst of a new civil rights movement. If you ever wonder what you would do if you had been alive in the 60s during the civil rights movement, you are doing it right now … I want to use the privilege I have as an educated white Christian person to advocate for those who are marginalized in ways that I am not.

“It’s not just about me and my right not to be sexually harassed or my right to reproductive autonomy over my body, it’s about Black Lives Matter, about Muslim rights, about dignity for the disabled, respect for indigenous brothers and sisters, for respect for transgender people. When one group is oppressed, no one is free. I saw that in the march — while it began as a women’s movement, all marginalized groups were supported and welcomed and represented.

Andi Buescher, Kitsap County

“I showed up to support women’s reproductive rights and the basic human rights of all people, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual preference, etc.

“The rhetoric of the new administration has left many people, myself included, feeling the rights mentioned above are being threatened. I marched to show that I, among all these other people, will fight for these rights if I feel they are being jeopardized.

“Regardless of whether you are on the right, the left, or somewhere in between, get out there and let your voice be heard. Get involved. Simply voting is not enough. Write, call, email your representatives and let them know where you stand on the issues you have strong feelings on. And communicate your opinions and views with respect and kindness.”

To learn more about the next steps you can take if you wish to get involved, visit www.womensmarch.com/100.

Michelle Beahm is a reporter for the Central Kitsap Reporter and Bremerton Patriot. She can be reached at mbeahm@soundpublishing.com.

“The thing that struck me most were the signs,” said Hillary Kinsey. “The variety, the sauciness, the sincerity, the passion, the fear, the creativity … all showcased on posters held high.” Sara Bernard / Sound Publishing

At the Womxn’s March, people were there to support not just women’s rights, but the rights of all marginalized groups, many of whom feel threatened by the new presidential administration. Sara Bernard / Sound Publishing

Seattle Womxn’s March attracted an estimated 125,000 people protesting the changes the Trump Administration is proposing that will impact women’s healthcare, environmental funding and more. More than 670 marches were held worldwide, with around 5 million total participants, more than 2 million in the United States alone. The global protest was held Jan. 21, and is probably the largest protest in the history of the United States. Photos by Sara Bernard / Sound Publishing

More than triple the expected number of participants walked in the Seattle Womxn’s March Jan. 21, one event in hundreds of women’s marches worldwide. Sara Bernard / Sound Publishing