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    • Vermont Women’s Rally brings hundreds to Montpelier: Why did they attend?
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    Vermont Women’s Rally brings hundreds to Montpelier: Why did they attend?

    Harry Posted on

    On Saturday, November 2, Vermonters once again donned pink “pussy” hats and gathered on the statehouse lawn. Montpelier for the annual Women’s Rally – “brother” incident National rally taking place simultaneously in DC

    Hundreds of participants dressed in winter clothes and holding colorful signs lined the road to the top of the stairs. Most of those in attendance were middle-aged or elderly women, but some young women, families, and even a few men and boys were also standing outside the statehouse.

    The two-hour rally began at 10 a.m. and featured speeches from prominent Vermonters including former Gov. Madeleine Kunin, Attorney General Charity Clark, the nation’s first transgender gubernatorial candidate Christine Hallquist, indigenous activist Beverly Little Thunder and former state Rep. Kiah Morris. Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch also spoke. The rally also featured performances by singer-songwriter Patti Casey, Taiko Drummers, Vermont Poet Laureate Bianca Stone, and musicians Dwight and Nicole.

    Although most speakers refused to mention the former president by name, Donald Trump It was referenced extensively and identified as one of the main reasons they stood in front of the capitol building that morning.

    “This is the most important election of our lifetime,” Master of Ceremonies Melinda Moulton said to cheers and waves. Harris-Walz signs.

    “He says he’s going to protect us,” Kunin, 91, said, referring to Trump’s last rally in Wisconsin. He said he would “protect” women with or without their consent.

    “No, thank you,” said Kunin, who referred to Trump only as “someone on the other side.” “Take back your protection. We are not your sisters. We are equal to our brothers, whether you like it or not.”

    Protection of abortion rights and women’s rights

    Reproductive rights, especially abortion, was a major focus of the rally. Rally attendees carried a variety of short pro-choice banners, some adorned with wombs.

    One of the most common signs was the slogan “We will not go back,” which was uttered frequently throughout the two-hour rally.

    Vicki Stetson said she feels the progress the United States has made on women’s rights is now “threatened,” citing the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Roe v. Wade argued that it was proven by overturning his case.

    “I’m here for my grandchildren,” said Stetson, who may not have the reproductive rights she had as a young woman.

    Jude Prashaw described this as “inherently evil”, complaining that “guns have more rights than women”.

    But Prashaw has tentative hope for the future.

    “I hope that justice will prevail, similar to the civil rights era,” Prashaw said. “We need to work hard for this.”

    Megan Stewart is the government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at [email protected].

    Harry
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