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More than 250 join march in Washington, D.C.

4 buses leave from U.P. for capital

Aboard the bus there is an air of excitement as passengers prepare for their trip to Washington, D.C. to begin. (Journal photo by Rachel Oakley)

MARQUETTE — Four busloads of Upper Peninsula residents, mostly women, have driven 15 hours across the country to join a historic march on the nation’s capitol following Friday’s inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Two buses left Friday from Marquette and two from Chatham, in addition to multiple personal vehicles, carrying more than 250 Yoopers to join a projected 200,000 other Americans for the Women’s March on Washington in Washington, D.C. today.

One of the buses out of Marquette consists mostly of teachers, organized by Wendy Hill Manson of Marquette Senior High School.

“So we are obviously concerned how education might be affected by the new administration,” Hill Manson said. “Also, we’re worried about equal treatment of all genders, races (and) religions. As teachers, we consider ourselves to be the protectors of the children of our nation who are very scared of the possibilities that might happen (and) the bullying that might occur.”

Teachers packed up and left a little later than the others on Friday, soon after the school day ended. They plan to return to school Monday morning after a whirlwind weekend of marching on Saturday and sleeping on the bus before and after.

Hill Manson said she hemmed and hawed before making the decision to go, because while she was upset, she doesn’t consider herself an activist.

“I don’t think anyone on the bus is an activist,” Hill Manson said, but added, “My mother is a very wise woman, and she always told me that you can’t complain unless you’re involved, so this is my way of being involved.”

Besides Hill Manson and her mother, there are a number of mother-daughter pairs making the trip together, including Nicole Mahaney and her mother, Mary Mahaney.

“It’s definitely very special,” Nicole Mahaney said. “I know not everyone has that kind of relationship with their mother, and I’m very grateful that I do. We don’t always see eye to eye on all political issues, but to be able to stand together as women who believe that this march is so important, to do it together is … overwhelming to think about.”

Mahaney said there were many depressing and disheartening moments from both sides in the last election cycle, but how Trump has allegedly treated women was especially striking.

“Hearing that he would grab a woman by her female genitalia, as someone who is running for the most powerful position in our country, was shocking,” Mahaney said.

Hill Manson, also traveling with her mother, two sisters-in-law and niece, alluded to the same issue.

“I think (the march is) a way that we can nurture the women in this country that feel that the way the president-elect has spoken about women is not right, and it allows us to express our voice and do something rather than just complain on social media,” Hill Manson said.

She emphasized the march is peaceful and permitted, not meant to protest, complain or put down the new president.

“We respect the office of the presidency, but we also believe that it’s a public service and that (public servants) should listen to the U.S. citizens that they are serving, and this is our way to voice our concern and to let them know how we would best be served by our future president,” Hill Manson said.

While many have said they are marching for their daughters, mothers, grandmothers and other female loved ones, Mahaney said she is equally marching for her son, Desmond, 4, as well as her daughter Celia, 2, and others unable to march.

“Having a son and raising a son who is a good person and a good human who treats women with respect, I think that that’s just as important as being a great role model for my daughter,” Mahaney said. “I want him to grow up in an environment knowing the right way to treat people and the right way to treat women and that when something’s wrong, you stand up and you need to be heard.”

Mahaney said she feels proud and privileged to participate in the march with the support of her husband and family.

The march is a starting point for a movement that Mahaney hopes will continue its momentum over the course of the new administration with a powerful grassroots push for change, as well as respectful dialogue with people from all sides, she said.

“I’m open to having that conversation with anyone, whether you agree with me on everything, one thing or nothing,” Mahaney said. “I definitely think being respectful and kind as we go forward is (going to) be a really important part of this process.”

Hill Manson said even as a pacifist who doesn’t like crowds, she believes people have to take a stand in the face of oppression, especially those who work with children.

“I think we are role models as teachers for the youth, and when you believe something is not right, to not do anything is the worst thing that you could possibly do,” Hill Manson said. “Speaking up and making your voice heard when you see oppression is important.”

Mary Wardell can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is mwardell@miningjournal.net.

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