People’s March to be held on issues of transgender rights, immigration and reproductive justice
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POCATELLO — Reverend Jenny Peek, pastor of the Pocatello Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and other local advocates have organized a “Pocatello People’s March” on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in advance of the presidential inauguration.
This is the second Pocatello People’s March, the first of which occurred in 2017 ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The march, patterned after the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., will provide a space for community members to come together and make their voices heard in solidarity and strength in protest of recent political and social developments.
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“We have a lot to be worried about like trans care, gender affirmation, migrant workers and immigration, reproductive justice, pay equity, and book banning,” said Peek. “This is our chance to raise our voices and let the world know we won’t stay silent. We will stand firm. A march is a place for people to unite and share their concerns and resources. This march is about freedom.”
Pocatello People’s March organizer and local activist Arya Shae Walker, who runs the nonprofit group Trans Affirm, said, “The People’s March holds immense importance for us here in Idaho. It’s not just about women. This is a powerful gathering advocating for general equality, social injustice and human rights across the board.”
“As a trans individual myself, I struggle firsthand with the anti-trans legislation that has affected Idaho. By having this march, we can show how diverse Idaho truly is and how trans people actually exist and want to continue a safe existence in Idaho,” he added.
Queer Club Idaho president, Jess Attebery, gave EastIdahoNews.com a statement saying, “In order to show solidarity with those marching in Washington D.C., we are organizing our own march here in Pocatello as are many towns throughout the U.S. We are not happy with the way that the country seems to be heading down a path of hate. We want to demonstrate to people that we aren’t going to just roll over and comply.”
Participants in the Pocatello People’s March will meet at Caldwell Park and march to 5th Avenue, then to Idaho State University’s Student Union Ballroom. Once at the ballroom, ISU educators Dr. Mona Xu, Dr. Jessica Rolynn, and Michael Strickland will give speeches on current political concerns, such as book bans and women’s autonomy, while committing to further advocacy and solidarity.
Organizations such as the ISU Sexuality and Gender Alliance, the League of Women Voters, Trans Affirm, Reading Time with the Queens, the NAACP, and Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates will be in attendance, sharing information and discussing the issues.
Peek, who moved to Pocatello from Indiana in 2017, was struck by the kindness and accepting nature of the people despite their diversities.
“The people in Pocatello are respectful of each other, and that’s what I expect from this march,” she said. “However, a march is short-lived. It’s what we do afterward, like reaching out to our legislators and continuing to get the word out that matters.”
Organizers encourage those planning to participate in the march to wear good walking shoes and to bring signs, friends, water, warm clothes and a passion for change.
Anyone interested in getting involved in the Pocatello People’s March should send a direct message to Jenni Peek or Arya Shae on Facebook. You can also contact Peek at (208) 380-1084.
For info on the People’s/Woman’s March, visit https://www.womensmarch.com/
