[MCN] Women's March on Montana Organized in Solidarity with Women's March on Washington, Jan. 21

[Emily Withnall]

           [image: Inline image 1]

*
                                                          Photo credit:
Eliza Wiley, Independent Record*





*Montana Supporters in Final Preparation for March in Solidarity*

*With the Women’s March on Washington D.C.*



A grassroots movement is continuing to build across the State of Montana.
Montanans from across the state are planning to unite and march in Helena,
Montana on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from noon to 3 pm. A national march
in Washington D.C., the Women’s March on Washington, is slated for the same
day. Montana, other states, and several countries are joining in the same
call for solidarity by marching on January 21.



The Women’s March on Montana is non-partisan, focusing on human rights for
all, and is open men and women alike. It is designed to shed light, not
only on women’s issues, but on issues facing all marginalized populations
who are being targeted with human rights violations. The Women’s March will
send a unified message to the new Administration on its first day in
office, and to the world, that women’s rights are human rights. Organizers
believe the March will be a positive step towards unifying marginalized
communities including women, all immigrants regardless of status, Muslims
and those of diverse religious faiths, Native people, Black and Brown
people, people with disabilities, and survivors of sexual assault.
Organizers are placing a high priority on security and safety to ensure a
peaceful march.



*“We hope to bring people together after such a divisive election,” *says
one of the event organizers Deb O’Neill of Helena.* “The hope is that all
will agree that everyone deserves to be treated equally and with respect
despite their gender, gender expression, ethnicity, religion, sexual
identity, economic status, immigration status, age, or disability.”*



Attendance is growing rapidly with approximately 2000 anticipated to be
marching and attending the rally following.  Speakers include First Lady
Lisa Bullock and representatives of organizations including the ACLU, Pride
Foundation, Planned Parenthood, Montana Human Rights Network, YWCA, and
others. Additional sponsors and supporters include the Montana Racial
Equity Project, Indian Law Resource Center, Montana Coalition Against
Domestic and Sexual Violence, YWCA of Helena and Missoula, and other
organizations, businesses, and individuals. The Montana Women’s Chorus,
Oulakins, Chicks with Sticks Drum Corps, and Native American drummers will
be performing and participating in the rally.



March and rally information along with safety, parking, and staging area
information can be found at womensmarchmontana.com.



Buses have been coordinated statewide with groups from Billings, the
Bitterroot Valley, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, the Highline,
Kalispell, and Missoula attending the event. Other Montanans have formed
carpools and are driving individually to join. The Women’s March on Montana
began forming after one member initiated an exploratory Facebook page on
November 11th. Within 72 hours, the group expanded from 23 members to over
1,500. There are now over 2,600 members in the original Facebook page with
many regional pages now formed. The Women’s March on Montana Event Facebook
page can be found at:  https://www.facebook.com/
events/155258321610587/?ti=icl





****


MEDIA CONTACT:  Deb O’Neill,  *307-231-3881 <(307)%20231-3881>, *montana@
womensmarch.com
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