WOMEN’S MARCH IN WOODSTOCK EVENT DRAWS HUNDREDS
Numerous issues prompted people to turn out for second annual rally
WOODSTOCK, N.Y. » The second annual Women’s March brought out hundreds of people Saturday afternoon, not just to protest on behalf of women’s rights, but also to shed light on other social justice issues.
“Everything brings me out today,” Alan Finger of Ghent said as he waited for the march to begin. Holding a sign depicting President Donald Trump sitting on a wall with the caption of “Trumpty Dumpty,” he said he saw the Woodstock event as a “resistance march” and not just about women’s rights.
The march stepped off just after 11 a.m. from the Andy Lee Field and traveled down Rock City Road to state Route 212. From there, the marchers traveled down Route 212 to the Bradley Meadows shopping plaza. Traffic was stopped for a time to make way for the march, which was one of many
“I want to be on the right side of history.” — Rose Petrella
being held across the country to coincide with the oneyear anniversary of the 2017 Women’s March. The 2017 march took place the day after Trump was inaugurated as president.
The local marchers carried signs and banners with messages that included, “We Are The Noisy Majority,” “Don’t Let Greed Trump Human Rights,” “Our Children Are Listening,” and “Believe Women.” At times, the marchers shouted chants about democracy and stating that Trump has got to go.
Rose Petrella of West Kill and her former student, Taylor Coloton of Hunter, were among the marchers in Woodstock.
Petrella said the two were at last year’s march and she “just can’t keep quiet.”
“I want to be on the right side of history,” Petrella added. She said there is so much wrong with the current federal administration that she could not pinpoint one issue. Petrella said she counts on the White House and administration to right wrongs in the world, not contribute to them.
Coloton said she was marching on behalf of equal rights and to draw attention to the issue of climate change. She said the government has to acknowledge climate change and work to address it. Dafney DeJesus of West Shokan said she was marching for everyone she knows, not just women and her daughters, but also for her friends and family of color and her LGBTQ friends. She said she marched for everyone who does not have a voice.
Jason M. Cohen of Woodstock said he wants to see women paid equally and for a woman’s right to choose to remain valid and intact. He added that if men are not part of the solution, then they are part of the problem.
For Gabby Congalton of Round Top, who marched with her dog, Lola, the event was about “the fact that it’s about time for everyone to hear the voice of women.”