Women’s March in Ann Arbor gets out the vote

By Washtenaw Voice Staff 

Editors’ note: As journalists, we must balance our responsibility to seek truth and report it with our duty to minimize harm. Following guidance from the Student Press Law Center, the author’s name has been removed from this article. This decision comes during a time when international students have faced serious consequences—from revoked visas to threats of deportation—seemingly because of posts they’ve made to social media or articles they’ve authored for their student news publications.

Members of the public masked up to take part in the Women’s March in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

The event kicked off at noon at the University of Michigan Diag, with guest speakers U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, Washtenaw County Commissioner Shannon Beeman, and State Reps. Donna Lasinski and Rebekah Warren delivering rousing speeches.

Topics focused on encouraging female representation in local government and voter engagement in the upcoming presidential election.

“Three years ago, we elected a woman governor, a woman attorney general, a woman secretary of state,” said Dingell, referring to the 2018 Michigan general election, where all three positions were won by female representatives. “Progress! But we’ve got a lot more work to do.”

She touched upon the need for unity considering the COVID-19 pandemic, which has deeply affected lives and livelihoods across the country.

“Too many people have lost their jobs, they’re unable to pay their rent or their mortgage. Our neighbors are going hungry and people can’t afford to go to their doctor or even take a test …  And they’re afraid … might have to stay home even if they do have a job. That is not who we should be in the United States of America.”

“We need to come together,” Dingell said. “We’re not red, we’re not blue, we’re Americans. Proud of it, love this country, we’re fighting for our future.”

Donna Lasinski also emphasized the importance of reaching out beyond district borders. “When we’re in Washtenaw County, we’re in a little bit of a bubble,” she said.

“20 minutes out and you are somewhere entirely different making a difference.”

After the speeches, participants marched through downtown to Ann Arbor City Hall.

Signs and posters included tributes to the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, support for women’s rights, and advocacy for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris.

Marchers were required to wear masks.

The Women’s March has become an annual event held nationwide since President Trump was inaugurated in 2017, the first march being a protest of his policies.

This year’s Women’s March in Ann Arbor was organized by Shine & Rise, a network group that supports women and minorities working in technology.

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