Women’s March draws attention to sexual harassment, other issues

Jan. 22--CUMBERLAND -- Sexual harassment was a major topic for guest speakers at the 2018 Cumberland Women's March held downtown on Saturday.

Roughly 120 people attended the event that began on the steps of the Allegany County Courthouse at 10 a.m. From the courthouse, the group marched to the plaza of the Western Maryland Railway Station, then to City Hall with speakers featured at each stop.

The event was sponsored by the Allegany County Womens' Action Coalition with Ellen McDaniel-Weissler acting as host. The event was in support of the Womens' March on Washington 2018, also held Saturday. There were dozens of similar marches that took place across the U.S. this weekend.

Many liberal and progressive viewpoints were expressed at the event. In addition to sexual harassment, topics included equal pay, increasing voter registration, reproductive rights, the opioid crisis and immigration reform such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA issue.

Pastor Marsha Bell of St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Washington Street spoke about sexual harassment. She shared stories of several experiences of sexual harassment that included groping and grabbing incidents. After sharing each story, Bell ending with, "what could she do, but stand for it." At the end she said the victim was her.

"What do all these incidents have in common?" asked Bell. "They all happened to me. Sexual harassment is a disgraceful and commonplace abuse of power. It can happen anywhere. The more powerful the aggressor, the more vulnerable the victim is. The more the victim has to lose the less they can do."

Bell said victims are often young, or in need of income and may have children to feed.

"But I'm not a victim anymore," said Bell. "Don't ever, ever stand for it. What I learned is you shake your head, act like crazy person, but by all means expose your harasser. Expose them, report them, confront them in front of people; humiliate them the best you can. Don't participate in it."

Bell said a place to start is in the voting booth.

"Let's start by voting out all the grabbers. Register and vote. Don't stand for it," said Bell.

Signs at the event included "#MeToo," "March and run," "Respect my existence or expect resistance," "Liberty and justice for all," "Science matters," and "Build community not hate." Many anti-Trump slogans were on signs as well.

Other speakers included Sarah Parsons of the Democratic Central Committee, Bridgette McCullough of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Libertarian candidate for governor Shawn Quinn, and Robert Smith of the Allegany County Green Party.

"A year ago we saw millions of women and their allies came out to protest our lack of equality that our misogynistic president has not only made worse but has created on his own with his accomplishments in Congress," said Smith. "The people have made it clear that we that we not only resist Trump but all those who follow in their footsteps."

Smith encouraged more women to run for office.

At the railway station plaza Andrew Duck, Democratic candidate for Congress 6th District, spoke.

"We have people here from all walks of life and all political stripes who are tired of the division and hatred that we see in our system today," said Duck. "We may have differences of opinion but it doesn't mean we can't talk to each other. We have been taking action to show that love is greater than hate, caring is greater than divisions. We need to show that compassion is an American value."

Cumberland City Councilman Eugene Frazier also spoke.

"We must make a change from how it used to be to how it should be," said Frazier. "We must make a concerted effort to get citizens registered to vote and get them informed and keep them informed. Politicians have to listen to the voices of the voters."

Speaking at City Hall were Elesha Ruminski, associate professor at Frostburg State University, local environmental activist Nina Forsythe, Pastor Shannon Watkins of Souls Won Outreach and Jody Walker, Womens' Action Coalition.

"I could not have been more pleased with the event," said McDaniel-Weissler. "It was moving and fulfilling with a lot of enthusiasm and joy. There were many powerful moments. I'm seeing the recognition that women's issues are human issues. They affect everyone."

Local citizen Tina Phillips came out to the event.

"The reason I came here today is over the past year I have seen the complete destruction of everything that we hold dear in this country," said Phillips. "It terrifies me. I don't see it as much for me as for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This is what I fight for ... for them. They should live in a world that is equal, and just, and right for everyone."

Follow staff writer Greg Larry on Twitter @GregLarryCTN.

Greg Larry is a reporter at Cumberland Times-News. To reach him, call 304-639-4951, email [email protected] and follow him on Twitter.

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