MOVING FORWARD - ON THE MARCH AGAIN - THIS TIME IN COLUMBUS, OH

Something tells me that every year when the anniversary of the first Women's March in Washington comes around, I'm going to be taking to the streets. Yesterday across the United States and in cities abroad, there were 650+ marches - from major gatherings in large cities to smaller ones in towns like Athens (OH) and Newark (OH). Two of my marching buddies from our trip to DC, Miriam Murrell and Jacky Miner, and I hit the road and headed to Columbus to participate with others from around the state in the 2018 march.

Since our trip to DC last year, we've been in close contact and have organized a small group in Marietta we call MOVing Forward. We assisted Appalachian Ohio Indivisible with the Connectivity Summit held in Marietta in July, and we've represented our group at a meeting with Representative Bill Johnson's aide at Johnson's office in Marietta, as well as participated in a rally outside his office earlier in the year. Some members represented our group at the Athens March yesterday, and though we are small, we are united in spirit. I believe all of us would concur that our involvement in the marches and MOVing Forward has created an unbreakable bond of friendship and respect, as well as moments of unadulterated fun. And, I do believe that we are a part of a powerful movement that will make its presence greatly felt in the upcoming mid-term elections.

We picked up Miriam at her house outside of Malta, OH, and from there, she navigated us along the back roads toward Columbus. What a spectacular day for a drive on many roads that were new to me! The beauty of the virgin snow on pasture after pasture was breathtaking.

(photo credit to Jacky Miner who was riding shotgun)



 

Much, much smaller than other marches across the country, the Columbus rally was nonetheless powerful and impressive. All of us remarked at how glad we were to see young women taking a lead in voter registration and redistricting campaigns, as well as campaigning for progressive candidates. Families, single moms, senior citizens, people of all ethnicities and orientations gathered to state their concerns and hopes for our country in a very civil, respectful march and rally.

I remember my mom's support for the DC March last year, and this year, she continued to support our family marchers from the world of spirit: I proudly wore her Avon owl necklace from the 70"s under the many layers of clothes I had on.  Eliza went to the march in Cincinnati, Samuel watched in Chicago, and Myra and friends participated in Richmond. Colleagues and former students marched in places around the country, and others will be marching today.

I want to make one point clear: It's undeniable that people in our country are angry with the myriad comments and events that have streamed out of Washington this year. That's a fact. HOWEVER, the greater truth is that those who march LOVE our country and are genuinely and deeply concerned / worried over the trajectory in which we find ourselves plummeting. Attempts to denigrate or label those who march reflect a disrespect and misunderstanding of sincere conviction.

It's a fact:  THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE.