OUR VOICES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE’

Non-partisan ‘Marching for Our Lives’ rally held

An estimated 200 people attended April 26's 'Marching for Our Lives,' which included a two-mile march and several speakers. SUZANNE NOLAN WISLER/THE MONOE NEWS - | USA TODAY NETWORK -MONROE

Carrying a variety of hand-made signs, an estimated 200 people of all ages turned out Saturday, April 26 for the “Marching for Our Lives” march and rally at Monroe’s St. Mary’s Park.

The two-hour event was organized by Monroe’s Stronger Together Huddle, which calls itself “a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good.” “Marching for Our Lives” was promoted as a non-partisan event, and it drew members of the public and representatives from organizations like the Monroe County Democratic Party, Voters Not Politicians, Good Trouble Monroe, League of Women Voters, the 5051 Movement, Monroe County NAACP, Monroe County Community College’s Gender & Sexuality Alliance, Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Dundee’s, Monroe’s and Bedford’s Indivisible groups.

“ There is an urgency to take to the streets and sound the alarm, much like Paul Revere did 250 years ago,” said Sharon McNeil from the Stronger Together Huddle and one of the event’s organizers.

A mannequin from Monroe;s former Carson’s Home Store was turned into a Statue of Liberty by the Monroe County Democratic Party. The statue usually stands in the window at the party’s Monroe office. Members set it up April 26 at the “Marching for Our Lives” rally.  PHOTOS BY SUZANNE NOLAN WISLER/THE MONROE NEWs

“Marching for Our Lives” was an event similar to the “Hands Off” rallies held across the country earlier this month. A “Hands Off” rally took place in Milan, and several other Monroe County residents attended

“DEI is a continuation of the Civil Rights Movement. It lifts others up.”

Dana Brown, co-leader of Dundee Indivisible rallies in places like Adrian and Lansing.

Participants in April 26’s rally depart on the two-mile march through downtown Monroe. In the center, holding the sign, is Sharon McNeil, one of the march's organizers

Darcy Piedmonte spoke before walkers departed for the two-mile march through downtown Monroe. “People all across Monroe County feel this need to come together. (It’s about) climate, veterans, farmers,” Piedmonte said. “We all do better when we all do better. When children learn to read and write, when universities produce research.”

A Monroe police car accompanied the marchers along the route. Some drivers along the way expressed support for the march by honking their car horns. Marchers carried signs, played songs and chanted messages like, “ This is what Democracy looks like.” Other attendees stayed behind and held signs near the road at St. Mary’s Park and at the nearby Custer Statue.

Following the march, several spoke briefly about their experiences with the Department of Government Efficiency’s recent funding cuts.

Dana Brown, one of the co-leaders of Dundee Indivisible, had worked for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office at the University of Michigan until it was closed recently. She had been there 10 years. “We no longer exist,” Brown told the crowd. “DEI is a continuation of the Civil Rights Movement. It lifts others up.” She explained some of the department’s work.

Dana Brown, a member of Dundee Indivisible, spoke about her former DEI job at the University of Michigan. The department was recently eliminated. PROVIDED BY TARA MCKENZIE

“We did subtitles and captions for virtual classes, we covered pay equal-ity, access for people with disabilities and food options for people with allergies,” she said.

Two nuns from Monroe’s IHM community spoke about PEPFAR, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Sister Joan Mumaw said IHM Sisters have been working in Uganda, Africa since around 1980. “We’ve seen the ravages of this disease (HIV),” she said. “PEPFAR has saved 26 million lives. It was cut. It’s ending in September. It’s been supported every five years (by U.S. presidents) since 2003.” Sister Peg O’Shea has worked in Africa for more than 40 years. She said the lack of funding will lead to thousands of deaths.

Rita Turner from Voters Not Politicians spoke about the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require people to show documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate, when registering to vote. “Most have no access to documents to prove citizenship,” she said.

Turner acknowledged that some people who are not U.S. citizens do vote or try to vote. But, she said, she thinks that is rare. “Millions will be put in a position (to prove citizenship) if this changes,” Turner said.

Sarah Nash, an immigration attorney for Adrian Dominican Sisters, had previously worked for Monroe’s IHM community. She urged attendees to speak out against the deportation of immigrants.

“Our voices can make a difference,” Nash said. “A student visa for a visiting student was restored. Public pressure is working. Everyone has a right to due progress under the Fifth Amendment.” Katybeth Davis from the Monroe County Democratic Party spoke at the conclusion of the rally, encouraging attendees to not just vote, but to run for an office or to encourage others to run. She said many elected positions are unopposed on

the ballot. “Rally the troops,” she said. 

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@ monroenews. com.

The marchers' route was through downtown Monroe. - SUZANNE NOLAN WISLER/THE MONROE NEWS