March For Women In Woodstock

Monday, 21 January 2019 at 05:36

Up to 50 people marched through downtown Woodstock, participating in the second annual Women's Rights March.

WOODSTOCK - The cold weather didn't stop supporters from attending the Women's Rights March.

Despite the snowy conditions, people met at the Museum Square on Saturday.

Co-coordinator Melissa Holden says she was pleased to see the turnout.

"I think it's awesome. I think that the weather is definitely a deterrent this year, last year we had such a great day, but women's rights they matter. Women's rights are human rights and they matter, no matter what the weather is."

This year's event saw a few guest speakers prior to the walk as Holden and co-organizer Kate Leatherbarrow led the supporters on the sidewalk while they marched from Dundas Street to Huron Street, before making their way back to the Square.

They also wore red jackets and hats as they held up signs in support of all women's rights. The event was held in Woodstock for the second year in a row.

Holden adds it's an important cause to support not only in Woodstock, but around the world too.

"I think it's very important, in particularly in Woodstock. Woodstock is notoriously a very conservative town and I think most people don't realize that women's issues exist no matter where you live. And it's not just about our community here, it's about the larger issue across the province, across our country and across the world."

In addition to Woodstock, other cities and communities held events around the country in solidarity to celebrate the main Women's March in Washington, DC.

Holden says they haven't decided on what they'll do next, but more events will be taking place in the Friendly City later this year. She says they will put on the Women's March next year, even if the weather won't cooperate.

"The future is always up in the air. We do have International Women's Day coming up in March anyway, which Kate is involved in organizing that also, with a group of people. And we'll be doing this march again next year and the weather won't stop us."