The windy winter weather was anything but friendly the morning of Jan. 18, but people braved the cold and gathered in Veteran’s Park at 11 a.m. with signs and scarves.
They came out to walk in the People’s March, which is an offshoot of the Women’s March. That protest made history on Jan. 21, 2017 – the day after President Donald Trump’s first inauguration – as the largest single-day protest in American history.
“It’s important to gather together – even though it’s cold – to show we care about the vulnerable people in the community and the world,” said Mary Dodd, the chairperson of the Montezuma County Democrats, which sponsored the event.
To her, “the march is about solidarity, and having one another’s backs” especially in light of the new administration.
People across the nation walked in People’s Marches on Jan. 18. In Cortez, an estimated 60 people showed up.
“It is brave to be an attendee to this event,” the emcee of the march, Rebecca Busic, said after thanking everyone for being there. “Today your important role for the success of this event was to show up.”
Busic went on to say that marches “have historically … proved powerful tools of political movements,” and cited the civil rights movement and women’s suffrage as proof.
“I don’t think we can quantify the value of like-minded, progressive people, especially in a notoriously conservative community, coming together,” said Busic. “Right now especially, community is important.”
It’s also important, Busic said, to fight the “resistance fatigue” that sets in when things feel like they “are going backward.”
“They would like nothing more than for all of us to be tired, to be afraid, to shut up and stay home,” said Busic. “And that is exactly what we must not do. We cannot lose our rights.”
Busic added that “we” includes men.
“Assuming the worst of all men (and) not welcoming them into the progressive movement is hurting everyone,” said Busic. “As one of my favorite authors, Caitlin Moran says, ‘All men aren’t the patriarchy. Only a few select old bastards are making these rules.’”
The quote made some in the crowd laugh as Busic welcomed the next speaker, Christine Brice Nelson, who’s a local mother and nonprofit professional.
Nelson spoke about grief and the power of connection.
“I am pretty sure I’m not feeling these things in isolation. I know a lot of you standing out here today are grieving something,” said Nelson. “A person, a leader.”
“A country,” someone shouted.
Grief, Nelson said, “can be softened through connection.”
Dolores Mayor Chris Holkestad spoke next and spoke quickly, as people in the audience shuffled to stay warm.
Holkestad emphasized the importance of community engagement, and started by acknowledging a few hecklers in the back of the crowd. Though we have differences in opinion, Holkestad said, thank you for being here and participating.
Holkestad went on to talk about engagement via voting, and how in the past few elections, only 60% to 70% of eligible voters in the county voted.
“As someone who has sat many nights in WildEdge and the Dolores River Brewery, I know that 100% of you have opinions on our community,” Holkestad said.
Elections, he said, aren’t just about presidents.
“When we vote, we allocate money for the police, fire, roads, schools, sewers, clean water, conservation and energy. Things that touch our daily lives.”
Dr. Erin Schmitt, an OB/GYN at Southwest Memorial Hospital until recently, was the last in the speaker series.
Schmitt focused on access to affordable health care and reproductive rights.
“As a woman and as a doctor, I’m passionate about reproductive health. But beyond the clinical aspect of my work, I believe that reproductive rights are fundamental human rights,” Schmitt said.
In light of the cold weather, she cut her speech short and welcomed Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk, a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Towaoc, to sing a song “To acknowledge all that’s natural around us and one another.”
And then the march began.
Carlos Somers, a local at the march, said he showed up because “I can’t be erased, my identity as a queer man.”
Another marcher, Crystal Patterson, said her attendance was in the name of equality.
“The idea of equality only counts if you believe it for everyone,” she said.
Marchers headed west on Montezuma and ended up at the Welcome Center, where they stood and waved signs for a little while, until the cold set in and everyone dispersed.
“I’m marching because the alternative is unthinkable,” said T. Barnabas Kane. “You have to act, or be acted upon.”
Cars drove by and some honked, waving peace signs and smiling at those marching.
“Show me what democracy looks like!” a marcher yelled.
“This is what democracy looks like!” the masses replied.
