Rights march draws crowds in Windsor, Washington

By Julianna Bonnett

The overnight journey from Windsor to Washington for the Women’s March was long and gruelling, but Michelle Mainwaring felt inspired and empowered when she saw the sunrise through the front window of the bus.

It was January 21, and Mainwaring, her sisters and dozens of other Canadians were ready to join more than a half-million other peaceful protesters from across North America in a march for women’s rights on the U.S. capital.

Mainwaring said she’ll never forget the rush of walking off the bus into a sea of people chanting slogans and bearing signs with important messages about equality and the need for change. She said she felt the energy and the love – but above all, she said she felt she and her sisters were making history and witnessing the dawn of a new era.

“I’ve done a lot in my life but I have never experience anything quite like this,” said Mainwaring, who explained she’s participated in a lot of rallies,  but nothing quite like the Women’s March.

“Each time I’ve participated, whether it was in Washington or Windsor, I felt such a connection to the people that came out.”

Over two years ago, the Women’s March on Washington saw more than half a million people who pushed for women’s rights and freedoms in a peaceful protest accompanied by a vigil. The idea caught on globally and now hundreds of thousands of people around the world take to the streets in solidarity.

The Women’s March in Windsor took place on Jan. 17 with an anti-violence theme, honouring women that have been murdered, gone missing or who have been deported.

An estimated 150 men, children and women attended the march that started in front of the Canadian flag on Riverside Dr., many of whom were carrying photos of women to be remembered. Mainwaring was there to show her support.

“I started paying attention more to the world around me and the politics of it when I had my son,” she continued. “This year’s big takeaway was unity and passion. I felt the love and support in the air for all these women that have gone missing or been murdered.”

According to the Canadian Women Association, on any given day, more than 3,000 women and approximately 2,900 children in Canada sleep in shelters due to domestic violence.

Pat Papadeas, a law professor at St Clair College, said before they can ensure that the Women’s March is having an effect on the public, they must first look at the facts.

“With bringing people together we can do what is absolutely necessary and that’s having the needed conversation about women’s rights not only in Canada but worldwide,” said Papadeas. “This year’s turn out for the march was amazing, but we will always have to keep moving forward and look to what charities can potentially help in raising awareness for the rights of women.”

The Windsor march continued throughout the downtown area, followed by a silent vigil with participants saying the names of women who have gone missing or been murdered.