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* Tribune…
The women of Chicago came out in force once again, with an estimated crowd of 300,000 rallying for equal rights – and against the Trump administration – at the second Women’s March Chicago on Saturday.
“The energy we saw throughout the year and continuing through today demonstrates once and for all that we are experiencing a resurgence in the women’s movement,” said organizer Jessica Scheller. “Only time will tell how much we can accomplish through it.”
Last year’s event unexpectedly shut down parts of the Loop with what organizers said was a quarter-million participants flooding Grant Park the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration. While some wondered if momentum might wane over time, many marchers said cultural movements like the #MeToo and Time’s Up campaigns against sexual misconduct – as well as Trump’s policies – only increased their fervor this year.
* Fox Springfield…
Millions of women spent Saturday marching.
This is the second year a nationwide women’s march has taken place following President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
One of those rallies was in Springfield.
There were at least 500 people out for the event, where they continued chanting “this is what democracy looks like.” […]
We reached out to multiple Republican leaders for their opinion on the march and have not heard back.
For Jennifer Michaels, not hitting the streets of Carbondale for the 2018 Women’s March was never an option — she was going to be there no matter the elements or her personal welfare.
She definitely wasn’t alone Saturday. She was joined by hundreds of women, men, children and a few furry animals. Among several chants throughout the mile-long walk were “power to the People, power to the polls,” and “this is what democracy looks like.” […]
This year’s march’s was dubbed “March to the Polls,” encouraging all women and their allies to get involved in the 2018 primary and general elections. The march was also a celebration of the 2017 Women’s March, which also drew hundreds of people in downtown Carbondale and hundreds of thousands across the country.
Adriana McBride of Davenport liked the atmosphere of people with different voices coming together in one setting for a purpose.
She was not alone Saturday as more than 300 people, mostly women, gathered at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island for the 2018 Quad-Cities Women’s March.
* WEEK…
The 2018 Women’s March happened all across the world Saturday.
Tens of thousands of people in cities marched, including right here in central Illinois.
Many gathered to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Women’s March and to launch the 2018 #PowerToThePolls agenda.
The rally was held at East Peoria Riverfront Park and hundreds were in attendance.
The rally was hosted by HOI National Organization for Women & Indivisible Peoria Area.
The Women’s March, which began when President Donald Trump was inaugurated last year, returned to the streets of America and the world on Saturday, and it was estimated about 5 million participants took part in various locations, including the Kankakee County Courthouse in downtown Kankakee.
There, about 200 marchers gathered and circled the property. One of the common chants heard during the rally was, “Build bridges, not walls,'’ an apparent protest of Trump’s plans to build a wall on the U.S. southern border.
Chanting and marching to the beat of drums, an estimated 1,500 people took to the streets of Rockford on Saturday to protest and take a stand for women’s rights.
This was the second march in Rockford, which began last year in response to Donald Trump’s inauguration as the country’s 45th president. This year’s march, organizers said, was meant to be more inclusive of men, harnessing the power of solidarity in protecting and advancing women’s rights. It appeared that more men and families turned out.
“I want my daughter to see, and model for her, what men in her life should do and be,” said Scott Zibell, 34, of Roscoe, who attended the march carrying a sign that read: “I look up to my wife.”
I didn’t see any coverage of the Galesburg event and the Naperville march was rolled into the Chicago event.
* The Question: Your own thoughts on the second Women’s March?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:10 pm
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If it gets more than 20% of voters out, I’m for it. The fact that e80% of folks either didn’t bother to vote or couldn’t find the time to vote in the last election just doesn’t sit well with me. People have to get more involved.
Comment by Fixer Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:20 pm
More power to them. The ladies ought to remind their male sifnificant others of the adage “Happy wife, happy life.” And then make their life miserable until there is a change for the better.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:20 pm
Trump and Rauner are sunk.
Comment by DeseDemDose Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:22 pm
*** Inset Gov Rauner HB40 talking points here***
Hard right doesn’t like the Gov because of HB40 but the signing of that bill may, just may, help him with soccer moms. IF he messages it well post primary.
Comment by Just Visiting Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:27 pm
Sound and Fury signifying nothing.
Comment by Saluki Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:28 pm
I attended the Springfield event and you could certainly could feel the energy. Being able to sustain the same or more attendees shows staying power and organization of strong voting bloc. The fact that Mendoza and Manar were key speakers for it shows at least an attempt to harness that energy against Rauner & ILGOP. Though I felt the loudest cheers and jeers were for winning at the federal level and Trump.
Comment by ItsMillerTime Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:29 pm
I was impressed in the growth in turnout. That is not normal for things like this. It gives me hope that those that attended will put time into voter registration and turnout. Hope is a good thing.
Comment by Montrose Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:34 pm
–Sound and Fury signifying nothing.–
I don’t know — still seems pretty Stormy to me.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:39 pm
Things I actually learned, no snark, honestly, since the first march after Trump’s Inaugural until now…
1) Thinking this is something, this movement or “statement” has run its course is terribly foolish.
2) Many, including me, wondered aloud if the march would lead to political statements in elections and carry over when it mattered at the ballot box. It’s has. Measurably, undoubtedly.
3) The message that mobilization from marches to polling booth will only get stronger and more powerful when the doubters keep questioning the resolve.
4) The President is still President, and this movement has daily motivation with the President in the White House, and that motivation is continuing to vote and vote against the President’s party.
5) Watching, the unity of the marchers and how they seem to understand the goal(s) isn’t an accident, it’s the purpose and call to arms that is being answered. Nothing about it is random or fuzzy.
6) Republicans that refuse to see this shift and movement are the littered losers in places like Virginia and Alabama, still confused but if they’re honest there, they know what happened, and they misjudged it.
7) Finally… Illinois will be a battleground, and when the smoke clears, the wheat and the chaff will be separated, and it will be this movement and Illinois women leading the way.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:43 pm
I like it, and I want to see the group pushing early voting hard and offering car pools or helping with vote by mail forms- because women are busy and getting to a polling place on a Tuesday during the day can be hassle.
Comment by Anon Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:45 pm
Every article I read about the Springfield March to the Polls, the number of participants goes down. I’m betting there were nearly 2,000 people there. Participants came from out of town, too.
The League of Women Voters of the Springfield Area had people “working the crowd” before the speeches to register voters.
Comment by DeputyRegistrar Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:47 pm
@ Montrose
“It gives me hope that those that attended will put time into voter registration and turnout.”
…and putting themselves on the ballot, as well.
Comment by Humboldt Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:48 pm
Lol, word. Comment of the day to be sure.
From reading social media and other coverage, seems like there was a lot of energy and enthusiasm around the March this year. A number of my Champaign friends drove to either SPI or Chi to participate.
All positive as far as I’m concerned, goofy pink hats notwithstanding.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:48 pm
Two key things:
New candidates are emerging out of women’s groups formed around the marches. Mostly for local offices.
Many of the attendees had not been regular voters, (small suburban sample). Trump has energized them. They will have significant impact in November.
Comment by walker Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:53 pm
Last year’s Carbondale march was buzzing with energy, but it wasn’t clear where it was going. This year was just as energetic (adjusting for the 20-degree lower temps), but had nearly two dozen candidates, parties, and activist groups represented in the march or the staging area at the civic center.
Comment by LXB Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:54 pm
“Sound and Fury signifying nothing.”
A tale told by an idiot?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 2:57 pm
The original women’s march was enormously gratifying but it left open the question of whether it could be sustained and whether it would be translated into electoral action. Saturday answered the former question and all of the special elections answered the latter. Democrats are energized in a way I can never remember. GOPers better hold on tight.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:10 pm
I’m surprised this year’s Chicago march had more people than last year. I attended last year. We had a great time.
I like the march to vote theme of this year and hope it bears fruit at the polls.
I think they should do more events close to election time this year, to keep the fire stoked and see the project through to the end.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:11 pm
It has been impressive so far. We’ll see the results this fall.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:21 pm
Police estimates put the Carbondale march at 1500.
Comment by Redeft Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:21 pm
I like that the marches are giving people in groups who typically are less quick to get involved in direct action (suburban, middle/upper-middle/upper class, white) a space to practice it. I hope these same people show up in solidarity for others (BLM, labor, disabled, lgbt folks) even when they aren’t directly impacted.
Comment by Actual Red Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:27 pm
The March in Chicago was energizing and empowering. The message was clear about registering to vote, encouraging others to vote, voting, and being engaged all year round. The vibe was peaceful and inclusive and funny. I was afraid it would be a markedly smaller turnout, and instead it was bigger. That was healing, in and of itself. Speaking for myself, I have been already immersed in the politics of rage and injustice on the state level for more than two years. It is so very hard to sustain this level of engagement and intensity. We risk normalizing outrageous behavior and sliding into apathy. Seeing the March, the turnout all over Illinois, the US, and even internationally, helps me keep going. (Although a little tiny bit of me wonders why we didn’t see this corresponding outrage for the Rauner hostage taking situation. Also I was surprised that his name was not even mentioned at the Chicago March — I’m guessing that was a deliberate omission.)
Comment by pawn Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:30 pm
Mrs Blue and tens of thousands of women travelled to DC last week for a different sort of march. I am confused.
Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:31 pm
=The fact that Mendoza and Manar were key speakers for it shows at least an attempt to harness that energy against Rauner & ILGOP. Though I felt the loudest cheers and jeers were for winning at the federal level and Trump.=
Dems have done well to capitalize and grow this. Making it seem as though, as a woman, empowerment is only through Democrats and their policies, is huge. Being a democrat becomes part of the path of being a woman. Creates an idea that Republican is incompatible with femininity. A key part is branding it so that it’s a women’s march, not a democrat women’s march (what it largely is in reality).
Only real counter for republicans is to push female candidates harder. Truth be told, despite the image as a party of old white men, Republicans have a lot of strong female voices/candidates, just look at the ILGA. But they aren’t at these rallies. And if they aren’t there, it’s easier for the democrats to indoctrinate them. This stuff builds and builds on top of itself.
Comment by m Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:36 pm
I attended the Chicago March. It was nice to see so many men supporting the cause and especially great to see so many younger women.They had deputy registrars on hand.
I have no doubt there will be March’s next year and the year after. It was wonderful to see democracy in action.
Comment by Because I said so.... Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:45 pm
It’s great to see that for a second time President Trump has motivated hundreds of thousands of women to get out and get some exercise. It’s also great that so many women were out there pumping up the economy by traveling to these marches, booking hotel rooms, eating out at restaurants, buying yarn and knitting needles, and creating jobs for lots of trash collectors.
Comment by TheDopeFromHope Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 3:54 pm
Willy’s phrase “wheat and the chaff’….reminded me of the saying “A Publishers job is to separate the wheat from the chaff….and print the chaff”. (CapFax mostly wheat)
Comment by WasAnon Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 4:07 pm
Willy’s phrase “wheat and the chaff’….reminded me of the saying “A Publishers job is to separate the wheat from the chaff….and print the chaff”. (CapFax mostly wheat)
Comment by WasAnon Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 4:07 pm
This is good news. As others noted, the knock-on benefits are starting to appear: voter registration, women candidates esp. at the local level (which is great), organizing experience which is transferable to the political sphere proper.
And … solidarity. Forever.
Oh sorry, got the wrong thread …
Comment by dbk Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 4:11 pm
I was at the Springfield march on Saturday. I wasn’t able to attend last year but I am really glad I could be there this year. It was well organized and the speakers were excellent. It was exciting to feel the energy of the crowd. I felt like it was a real positive in a world that has had far too much negative lately.
Comment by State Worker Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 4:13 pm
I went to both marches, and took my son. We had great dialog after both of them (he’s 10). The energy was amazing and infectious. He now understands more about being engaged in our democracy.
About the silly hats… the most important part of those hats, for me, is that most if not all of them were made by hand by someone, a real person who was mad enough to knit or crochet or sew on as a symbol of solidarity. I’ve made 10 of them.
We didn’t and don’t need fancy red ball caps from China.
Comment by Mad Brown Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 4:15 pm
Idiotic men coming on this blog to post idiotic sexist crud are gonna be deleted and banned for life. Grow up, or leave, or I’ll make you leave. Yes, I asked for your thoughts, but this isn’t Facebook.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 4:24 pm
I have 6 nieces aged 20 to 32. Last year 4 drove from St. Louis and Southern Illinois to DC. This year all 6 participated in St. Louis, Atlanta, Seattle and Chicago. They were just as excited and committed this year as they were last year.
Little did my brothers know that they had raised liberal activists who were willing to get involved. Maybe I will not be the odd man out at family gatherings whenever any political or social topic is brought up.
Comment by illini Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 4:39 pm
It’s an interesting thing to observe. If you chat with many of the people (mostly women, but a good number of men), it’s almost a Pentecostal experience in the sense that they have a large number of different reasons for wanting to go and wanting to experience this. Energetic and Friendly are two overwhelming adjectives you hear to describe how the march affected them. Yet there are many people who I wouldn’t describe as liberal necessarily who went too. Last year it seemed to be a very healthy and safe venting exercise.
This year, I think there was a little more substance in why people attended. Instead of just anger and frustration, this time it appears to be more awareness on a very wide variety of issues all the way down the line. I would guess the exchange of information was better this time. More people talking about more issues, without a hard edge, but a genuine curiosity.
Some of the signs shared are really pretty disgusting, but they seemed to be not the norm. It’s safe to say this was NOT some collection of rabid kooks, but a thoughtful group of people accepting a common excuse and date to be heard and do something together. Good on them.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 4:54 pm
I was at the SPI march. There was strong turnout and energy. A message to the organizers. The speakers should abide by the same rules as a wedding toast: use broad themes, speak from the heart, avoid inside stories and jokes. Just because you’ve worked really hard at an obscure non profit, doesn’t mean 2,000 people want to hear about that journey. And a special message to Andy Manar: 2018 is ALL about TRUMP, the governors race is about Trump, the Alderman race and school board elections will be about Trump too. And no, America is not waiting till 2020 to remove that sadist from office, read the 25th Amendment over and over again until you get it.
Comment by Kay-Ro Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 5:08 pm
There weren’t 300,000 people out in Chicago. No way. Not close. Is great though to celebrate lowest female unemployment in 18 yrs.
Comment by Chris P. Bacon Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 5:15 pm
==Yes, I asked for your thoughts, but this isn’t Facebook.==
This is an amazing quote
Comment by Randy Jackson Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 6:10 pm
–There weren’t 300,000 people out in Chicago. No way. Not close. –
You’ve got size issues? Sad.
What number would make you less anxious?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 6:57 pm
I think it reminded me that Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky hasn’t endorsed a gubernatorial candidate yet…I generally don’t put alot of stock in endorsements but this one would have significance with many Dem primary voters.
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 7:00 pm
Powerful march and it didn’t go away after the first year. The #metoo movement should be center stage. Women, of all political affiliations are affected.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 7:24 pm
These marches are exciting and good for Illinois. The Tea Party marches were much smaller but, for all sorts of reasons, had a massive effect on the political landscape. It’ll be interesting to see whether leadership can find similar ways to harness this energy and effect political change.
Comment by Chris Widger Monday, Jan 22, 18 @ 7:49 pm
I actually believe 100% that the girl power vote is going to change this country and soon. November elections are coming and so are the strong women of America.
Comment by DeseDemDose Tuesday, Jan 23, 18 @ 10:29 am