Toronto, On – We’re back, more determined than ever and popping up in more places than last year – we’re speaking of the second coordinated round, of Women’s protest marches. In 38 communities across Canada, women demonstrated to proclaim messages of inclusion, equality and empowerment. Last year it was in response to Donald Trump’s boasts of sexual misconduct and his divisive policies that fueled the movement. This year it was the sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood titan Harvey Weinstein and numerous male media icons that kept the fires burning.
From Halifax with a march highlighted by pink flairs, to the streets of Montréal amid crowds festooned with colourful toques and scarves there were signs stating “things aren’t the same anymore” and “grab em by the patriarchy” or “The future is nasty” spray painted in pink sparkle, and “Silent no More”, while thousands jammed Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square. The voices are growing louder, they have gone from hushed comments around the water cooler or over the dinner table to part of everyday conversations on the buses and subways to shop floor and onto the agendas of union meetings. Where does it go from here? Bigger and better if this past weekend is any indication and unless you have been living on another planet, you should know that the status quo is no longer acceptable!
