Nelson's Myers travels to Washington DC to be part of 'solidarity for love, inclusion and respect'
By Bruce Fuhr
It has been quite a week south of the 49th parallel as the 45th President of the United States began his four-year term.
However, before Donald Trump could begin to warm the seat of his Oval Office chair, more than a million people around the world — including marches in Castlegar, in the Nelson area and Grand Forks — joined hands to demonstrate against the views of the US President.
“As a feminist and someone who follows the news very closely, I had a fire in me to be there with other women from all over the country (USA and Canada) and stand in solidarity against hate and for love, inclusion and respect,” said Stephanie Myers of Nelson, who was in the crowd for the Women’s March in last weekend in Washington, DC.
Myers was part of the estimated half million people — the crowd at the Washington March was estimated to be three-times larger than Trump Inauguration — from all walks of life who gathered in Washington Saturday in a kind of “counter-inauguration” after President Trump was inaugurated Friday.
She said the march was so “amazing”, and at the same time, “totally overwhelming” with signs that were “hilarious and so poignant.”
“The chanting was like singing together, it made me feel united with the crowd,” the host of Kootenay Morning on Kootenay Co-op Radio explained.
“Marching in front of the Trump Hotel and chanting, “We will not - Go Away - Welcome to your first day” was so much fun.”
“Having a crowd of over a thousand chanting to a young man in a Syrian flag, "Say it loud - Say it Clear - Refugees are welcome here" it made my heart so happy,” Myers added.
“You could feel the love, it was palpable.”
Myers admitted to be a bit nervous before the start of the march.
She believed the Women’s March would be well supported but wasn’t too sure how DC police would react to the sea of protestors.
“As the day got later, people just settled into having a wonderful time with thousands of people who hold the same beliefs,” Myers said.
“Everyone was just so lovely and polite and sweet to each other. It was all about inclusion.”
Myers, born in Prince Edward Island, has lived in Nelson for the past 10 years.
She is part of the Canadian Federation of University Women, on the board of SEEDS (Seniors Economic Environment Development Society) and coordinating committee for Kootenay Pride as well as fundraiser for the Nelson Friends of Refugees.
During the Women’s March Myers was able to meet American feminist and social and political activist Gloria Steinem, which proved to be a highlight of the trip.
“As a young feminist I remember reading about Gloria Steinem in Ms. magazine,” Myers said. “She taught me and my whole generation how to be a feminist and demand respect and fair treatment.”
Myers said especially now, with the turmoil now witnessed U.S. politics, the media will play an important part in how society moves forward.
“I’m interested in making our world a more inclusive space, for everyone, refugees, the LGBTQAI+ community, women,” she said.
“There is space here for all of us, just no space for hate.”