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QuickTake:
A rally held March 8 celebrated the achievements of women activists throughout history while highlighting the reproductive and civil rights advocates are still fighting for.
More than 100 people gathered Sunday afternoon in downtown Eugene to celebrate the 115th anniversary of International Women’s Day and continue the fight for women’s rights.
The rally, organized by Indivisible Eugene Springfield, emphasized bodily autonomy, intersectional feminism and civic engagement.
Trans rights activists, elected officials and nonprofit leaders who spoke at the event called on attendees to take action, from voicing concerns to their elected officials about the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, to protesting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office inside the Eugene Federal Building.
“I appreciate public gatherings such as these. They are great. They are needed,” said Shanaè Joyce-Stringer, founder of the nonprofit B.L.A.Q. Youth. “But if this solidarity and support doesn’t translate into listening, advocating and supporting Black and other women of color, if it doesn’t include challenging systemic racism and patriarchal oppression, not just on the days it feels good or is trending … then it falls short of impact and influence.
“The reality is,” she continued, “allies are good, but advocates are greater.”
Speakers at the event also acknowledged the trailblazers who advanced women’s protections across labor, sexual orientation, safety, reproduction, environment and culture.
Highlighted historic leaders included labor activist and National Farm Workers Association co-founder Dolores Huerta, LGBTQ+ and AIDS activist Marsha P. Johnson and Native American rights advocate Suzan Shown Harjo.
The signs and clothes worn by attendees reflected the current politically charged climate of the United States. One man held an American flag while holding a sign that read, “Fascism is here, but so are we.” Some wore pink “pussy hats” harkening back to the Women’s March in 2017, the day after President Donald Trump’s first inauguration.
Eugene resident Sara Zolbrod Fouché evoked the Statue of Liberty, wearing a green gown, a cardboard sign reading “ICE OUT” and a torch she held high for most of the rally.
“I came to the International Women’s Day Rally to stand up for women’s rights and the humane treatment of immigrants and people of color,” Fouché said.
Members of Raging Grannies sang “This Land Is Your Land” and other tunes throughout the event.
Sunday’s rally was mostly calm, with one exception: A truck briefly stopped in the middle of Oak Street to rev its engine and yell expletives at attendees. After about 30 tense seconds, the truck driver hit the gas.
Attendees waved the truck on before turning their attention back to the rally.
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