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Timmins women march to city hall to voice objections to Trump's anti-women views (8 photos)

A group of 20 women and men marched to Timmins city hall to express solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington who protested the anti-women policies of Donald Trump who was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. The Timmins

A group of 20 women and men marched to Timmins city hall to express solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington who today protested the anti-women policies of Donald Trump who was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

The Timmins march was organized by Timmins and Area Women in Crisis on Wilson Avenue where the women and men, wearing pink pussy hats, gathered to watch speeches from the Washington rally before embarking on their march.

“The purpose of today’s March in Timmins is to support the women who are marching in Washington,” said Karen Hutchison, who watched the speeches and later participated in the march to City Hall.

Hutchison and the women gathered at the TAWC, like the women in Washington and around the world gathered share to express concerns about the views of women expressed by new President Trump.

“The idea of the pussy hats is two fold, partly in jest to mock Donald Trump’s offensive statement that celebrities like he could simply grab women by the pussy,” said Hutchison.

According to Hutchison, the colour pink was once a dominant colour and women actually were associated with the colour blue at one time she said. But as soon as the colour pink became associated with women it became associated with weakness, which really speaks to how the world viewed women.

“As a Canadian, I have friends and family all over the United States and Trump’s policies will affect them. Hutchison said. “Whatever choices he makes in the United States will affect them in their daily lives,”

“The United States also has a huge effect on the world,” she added. “Their media productions are everywhere and their portrayals of women are everywhere and their political policies affect the world,” explained Hutchison. “They have a lot of money, power and they do affect us.”

There also is concern that the anti-women and misogynist views of the Trump presidency can give support and embolden Canadians who share similar views.

“The U.S. media is viewed across Canada and already giving them the courage to start getting louder in Canada,” she said. “Women in Canada have to become louder as well and stand up for our rights.”

Present to support Timmins women were several males including Hutchison’s brother Peter Hutchison and Councillor for Ward 5 and Deputy Mayor Andrew Marks.

“Mayor Steve Black sends his greetings and but he could not be here today,” said Councilor Marks. “I am here today as Deputy Mayor representing him and our council and it is very important to show the people of Timmins, that there are certain beliefs that are just not acceptable.”

Marks said Trump’s views are out of line with the compassion shown to all people in Timmins, the City with the Heart of Gold.

“In Timmins we listen to each other, we are inclusive, we go the extra mile to help our neighbours, we are equal here,” Marks said.

“Today’s message from women in the United States and all around the world is one Trump just might listen to,” Marks added. “He should take into account that women are more than 50 percent of the population.”

Marks explained that Timmins reached a milestone this January when Veronica Farrell became the second woman councillor after being appointed to serve as councillor for Ward 1 after Andre Grzela resigned.

“For the first time in Timmins history we now have two women councillors,” said Marks. “I am hoping in the future to see more women running for councilor.”

Marks also noted that Timmins has already had a woman mayor.

“It was my honour to serve with Mayor Lim during my first term as councillor,” he said.

Marks also praised the important contribution immigrants have made to the development of Timmins.

“We are all immigrants in Timmins, except for our First Nations people, who have been here from the start,” he said. “Immigrants helped build the mining industries in Timmins and have formed the grassroots of this community.”

The march to city hall proceeded from Wilson Avenue to Cameron Street S. and then along Algonquin Blvd. W. marching east to 220 Algonquin Blvd. E – Timmins’ City Hall.

The drumming and chanting of Aboriginal women inspired the marchers along the way.

“The traditional songs included ‘The Longest Walk’ and ‘Strong Women’ two songs that help women become stronger, “explained Faye Naveau, who along with Sara Rodrique and Elizabeth Etherington provided the drumming and chanting.

As for how she thinks the next four years of a Trump presidency should be handled?

“We need to unite and drum louder and be heard and do it in a peaceful way,” said Naveau.

 Jessica Wabano, Cultural Resources Coordinator for Timmins Native Friendship Centre marched to express concern about Trump’s support for what she termed “rape culture”.

“As an indigenous person we have similar concerns with the women in the United States,” said Wabano. “Trump has by his statements made it clear that he supports rape culture.”

“Today we are speaking out against that because we are dealing with those problems across Canada with, the youth suicide crisis and the Missing and Murdered aboriginal women,” said Wabano. “It is important  to make our voices heard and join  women in Washington and around the world to voice concerns - we cannot wait for the next President to voice support for women’s issues."

 


Frank Giorno

About the Author: Frank Giorno

Frank Giorno worked as a city hall reporter for the Brandon Sun; freelanced for the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Star. He is the past editor of www.mininglifeonline.com and the newsletter of the Association of Italian Canadian Writers.
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