Braving cold winds amid the arctic blast over the weekend, dozens of women and men joined the People’s March in Aspen on Saturday to take a stand against threats facing women in the community and the entire nation.
The local People’s March, which has been held yearly since the pioneer Women’s March in 2017, was aptly themed “We Won’t Go Back” and took place just two days before President Donald Trump took his second oath of office.
Led by the Pitkin County Democrats, the People’s March stormed through the streets of Aspen followed by a women-led talk at the local library. Residents of Roaring Fork Valley took part in the national movement held on Jan. 18, which saw nearly 100,000 attendees at over 382 events nationwide.
Betty Wallach, chairman of the Pitkin County Democratic Party, emphasized the need for local action in the community to augment national and even global movements to promote women’s rights. “All politics is local; I really believe that. Our politics is local,” she said in an interview.
She highlighted the recent passage of Amendment 79 that will enshrine the right to abortion in the Colorado State Constitution during the last local elections — the same election that ironically brought President Trump back into office.
The amendment will prohibit the state and local governments from denying, impeding or discriminating against abortions, which will now be allowed to be a covered service under health insurance. Championed by reproductive rights groups, the amendment was approved by 62% with nearly 1.9 million people voting in favor.
“That is not national. That is Colorado,” Wallach said. “And we are very proud of that. That is something that we worked very hard on. We had it passed here and in the whole state. We are extremely proud of that.”
Women speakers during the People’s March event agreed that, despite the continuing threats made against women’s rights in recent years and the years to follow, communities must stand together to end sexism and dangerous actions against all individuals.
The esteemed speakers included human rights and trial attorney Beth Klein, freelance writer Annalise Grueter (also a Sopris Sun contributor) and women’s rights advocate Cidney Fisk.
Touching on needed support for reproductive health care, organizations like Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM), assured that they will continue to serve patients in Colorado and other nearby states, such as Wyoming and New Mexico, despite the barriers and challenges anticipated with the incoming administration.
“We want to reassure our patients and communities that we serve that we are not going anywhere,” said Meiko Lunetta, PPRM Senior Major Gifts Officer.
“We have been planning for this, for the challenges ahead,” she added. “We have been working on contingency plans to make sure no matter where you come from, who you are and how you identify, you can continue to count on us for the care and support that you deserve here in the Rocky Mountains.”
The women speakers at the event collectively agreed that although the years ahead may be difficult, this can be met with vigor and resilience by having difficult conversations and in-person practices to protect women in our communities.
They highlighted the progress made for women’s rights throughout the decades — from not being allowed to vote and open bank accounts, to now leading corporations and businesses throughout the country.
Shannon Meyer, executive director of Response, lauded the activism that it took for women to get this far but cautioned that more action will be needed as the community and nation looks toward the future of women’s rights.
“We must remember that progress is not inevitable,” Meyer said. “It requires vigilance in our actions. We’ve got to legislate and advocate to create a society where all individuals can live free from fear. We will not be silenced, we will not be passive, and we will not go back.”