Wahine power.
Love trumps hate.
We the people (that means all of us).
I will not go quietly back to the 1950s.
Our rights aren’t up for grabs — and neither are we.
We will not be silent.
“Respect our bodies and our rights,” University of Hawaii at Hilo student Qiyah Williams suggested to her friend as they prepared a sign of their own, to join the hundreds of other slogans waved Saturday during the Hilo Women’s March and Gathering at the Mo‘oheau Bandstand and around downtown.
“I heard about it on campus; a lot of people were talking about it,” Williams said. “I came out to support the cause. It’s very important to show solidarity, more than ever.”
A sister march to the Women’s March on Washington, Hilo’s event was one of more than 600 similar marches (five were planned for Hawaii) that took place around the world as a show of support for equality and human rights as well as a statement against President Donald Trump’s rhetoric of the 2016 election cycle.
“The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized and threatened many of us,” organizers wrote on the Hilo march Facebook page, listing groups such as women, immigrants, those of diverse religious backgrounds, “particularly Muslim,” LGBT people, native and indigenous people, African-Americans, Latinos, people with disabilities, and survivors of sexual assault.
Emcee Kathleen McGivety of the YWCA spoke of the importance of inclusion and empathy during her remarks at the event’s morning program.
“I ask each of you to look at our privilege and fight not for our own interest but for those of others as well,” she said. “As I march into this year, I want to be a better activist. I want to be a better constituent, I want to be a better citizen.”
“I would like to share with you … my mana‘o today, and that is the importance and the significance of simply being present and sharing your voice,” said speaker Hokuokahalelani Pihana, a UH marine science lecturer. “As individuals, our presence and our voices are important, significant and strengthening. As communities, our presence and our voices become empowering.”
Noelie Rodriguez, a sociology professor at Hawaii Community College, emphasized that more work and outreach need to be done in order to make a difference.
“Yes, we’re here today, but we have to be ready to show up again, and again and again,” she said.
“Hana hou!” came a voice from the crowd.
“Start talking, start talking to everybody,” Rodriguez said. “We have to start talking politics.”
Marlena Dixon of Hilo said she was marching for “women’s rights (and) rights for all.”
“Our son is disabled and we’re concerned about health care and making sure that our son is taken care of,” she said.
“We’re just here to make sure our voices are heard.”
“It’s about general respect for everybody,” said Dixon’s husband, Ryan. “In order to get it, you have to give it.”
The Washington march, which drew more than 500,000 people, was sparked by a Facebook post from Maui retiree Teresa Shook. But when Cat Killam of Volcano checked the national march page five days after the November election, she found that no march had been set up yet for Hawaii.
“I knew I had to do something because the words that kept going through my head were, “First they came for, first they came for, first they came for,” she said, referencing the poem by German pastor Martin Niemoller about speaking up for others during the time of Nazi persecution. “That’s what my motivation was.”
Killam and co-organizers Alexandra Alcisto, Tara Braun, Samantha Black and Julie Zimmerman set out to host not just a march, but an event where people could learn about issues and resources. Booths set up near the bandstand featured the YWCA, Hawaii Island Pride and the American Civil Liberties Union, along with health care and environmental groups.
“It had to be about information and bringing awareness,” Killam said. “It’s not just about showing up, walking and getting a T-shirt. It has to be more.”
Asked what her goal in marching and organizing was, Braun said she was there to provide education.
“It’s not opposing, but trying to be supportive of the incoming administration and making them aware of what we consider valuable rights,” she said.
“And for her,” Braun continued, pointing out a young girl with chin-length brown hair. “For my daughter (Anna).”
At first, organizers expected about 200 people to show up. By the day of the event, 1,100 people had clicked “Attend” on the group’s Facebook page; 700 more said they were interested in attending.
Braun said police told her the turnout was more than for the annual downtown Ho‘olaulea.
“Based on what they’ve seen, what they’re calling it is 1,500-2,000 (people),” she said.
Joyce Reed, 77, of Waimea wasn’t surprised by the high turnout. Reed pushed the wheelchair of her friend Mere Grace, 83, and walked alongside Jilly Warner, 64, who was visiting from Idaho.
“I knew people would be supporting this,” Reed said.
Warner said the momentum of the event would continue by people not being afraid to speak out.
“After all, Trump’s not afraid to speak up,” she said. “We must.”
Just before 11:30 a.m., the rain-soaked morning program wrapped up with a jubilant “Let us march!” Umbrellas were packed away as the sun came out, and marchers lined up to cross Kamehameha Avenue. A small group of anti-abortion protesters stood along the street.
Police allowed large groups to cross the street at a time, stopping every now and then to allow vehicle traffic to pass.
The Wagner family of Hilo held signs made from plywood, the better to hold up in the rain.
“We were thinking ahead,” Sierra Wagner said. Daughter Emily, 10, said she had spent about an hour building and then lettering her sign, which read “If you build a wall, my generation will knock it down.”
The flood of marchers became a steady trickle as people stayed on the sidewalk to stroll down Mamo and Keawe streets.
Along the route, groups chanted, “Love, not hate, makes America great.”
By the time the first walkers had returned to the bandstand, a group of about 200 people was still waiting for their turn to cross the street and begin their march.
Nine-year-old Anna Braun marched around downtown once with her father and once with her uncle.
“She said she’s marching because this is her body and no one can tell her what to do with it,” Tara Braun said. “I’m incredibly proud.”
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
