Calls for action, change empower NEPA Women's March

Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA)

Jan. 19--A sign in support of the Equal Rights Amendment is one of several posters seen at the NEPA Women's March on Saturday.

Kevin Carroll -- Times Leader

Jill Carlson, left, Judy Hunchar, Linda Artley and Vanna Cleary carry signs as they attend Saturday's NEPA Women's March.

Kevin Carroll -- Times Leader

The NEPA Women's March Choir performs to cap off Saturday's march in Wilkes-Barre.

Kevin Carroll -- Times Leader

WILKES-BARRE -- A bitterly cold day was no match for the fire and passion displayed by the men and women in attendance at NEPA Now's NEPA Women's March on Saturday afternoon at Milennium Circle.

As a covering of snow blanketed Wilkes-Barre, dozens upon dozens of activists and citizens turned out to lend their support to the cause.

The march, an official sister to the national Women's March, focused primarily on reproductive rights for women as well as climate justice and immigration rights. NEPA Now worked in conjunction with Action Together NEPA and Queer NEPA to make sure this year's march was as successful as can be.

"It's incredibly important to have equality," said Ann Toole, an advocate for women's rights and one of the many supporters who braved the elements to come out and march Saturday. "Everything just seems backwards right now.

A sea of signs both in support of women's rights and in protest of the current administration could be seen throughout the crowd. Toole herself came with a sign that read, "Women's Rights are Human Rights."

There was a long list of speakers on Saturday, including Paige Cognetti, the newly sworn in mayor of Scranton, as well as U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic.

The speeches all carried the same message: the future is female, and everyone -- men and women alike -- have got to keep up the fight to make meaningful change in 2020.

"This is the only way to bring about change," said Mike Precone, one of the many men who showed up in support. "We're here to support a movement."

The march wasn't without its share of protesters, however, as there were a fair number of counter-protesters in the audience, brandishing anti-abortion signs and fighting for their own agendas. In particular, two 16-wheelers decorated in support of President Donald Trump made their presence known time and time again, circling the block in an attempt to draw attention.

But the focus remained primarily on the idea of gender equity and civil rights.

The rally ended with a musical performance from the NEPA Women's March Choir, singing a pair of empowering songs as the crowd sang and clapped along.

This was the second annual NEPA Women's March, and with the 2020 presidential election fast approaching, everyone in attendance shared the same consensus opinion: the time to act is now.

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