Raging Grannies, Protest Signs, and Community Voices at International Women’s Day Rally in Eureka

Local artist Kati Texas, holding a sign reading “LISTEN to the SURVIVORS”, is seen here with a group of friends as the rally came to a close.  [All photos by Ryan Hutson]

Felicity Barstow was at the rally with her partner, enjoying the sunny afternoon and rallying in solidarity with other Women’s March planned rallies from coast to coast.  Barstow said, “[W]e’re still out here to promote women’s rights. It’s an issue that sometimes gets forgotten and pushed to the side.” When asked what she felt were the important current topics of concern, she explained that there are big picture worries as well as specific policies that are of concern.  

Barstow told RHBB, “If we don’t have support for our women, then our children aren’t supported as well,” adding that women in the US “still have pay inequality that needs to be dealt with, and, of course, women’s autonomy for them to choose what they want to do with their own bodies and with their own lives.”

Citing concern for the Save Act, Barstow noted that if adopted, many people could lose voting access. She said, “[I]f your birth certificate doesn’t match your current name, then you may not be able to vote.”

Another local woman who assisted in spreading the word about the International Women’s Day rally via email explained that protesting regularly, and on particular holidays like President’s Day and International Women’s Day, for example, is important for keeping topics of concern in the public discourse. “We are the United States of amnesia,” said KT, “and we forget so easily.”

KT noted that peaceful protesting is one way to advocate for social and political change, telling RHBB, “See the need, do the deed.” 

Concerns about women’s rights were a recurring theme at the rally. “Right now,” according to a report by the United Nations, “women have only 64 per cent of the legal rights that men hold worldwide.” The report states that in “fundamental areas of life, including work, money, safety, family, property, mobility, business, and retirement – the law systematically disadvantages women.”

The UN explained recently that the “latest report ‘Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls’ warns that the very systems meant to protect women and girls are failing them—leaving them exposed to abuse, injustice, and impunity amid a growing backlash against gender equality and increasing violations of their fundamental rights.” 

At the rally, women’s rights supporters shared camaraderie and music. Early on in the afternoon the Raging Grannies serenaded the group as a chorus of honking traffic passed going north on Highway 101 through Eureka. 

Several of the signs on display referenced various concerns for the state of democracy in general, while others were more specific. Some signs were seen referencing Minneapolis, impeachment of President Trump, and due process protections. 

A Protest Gallery

A woman with a sandwich board sign reading “WAKE UP, SMELL THE CORRUPTION” stood opposite the county courthouse. [All photos by Ryan Hutson]

“Rule of Law, Not The Law of a Ruler” was seen on a small sign, next to a large sign reading “WHITE SUPREMACY HURTS EVERYONE” in large bold letters.  [All photos by Ryan Hutson]

Several signs with original artwork were also visible.

Petitions were circulated for various causes, including a tax on billionaires in California. 

A woman in a red beanie explained that her daughter had made the red knit hat as an homage to the World War II era anti-fascist red caps made by women in Norway. 

Felicity Barstow and her partner come to the courthouse regularly nowadays, they say, as a way to express their dissent in a peaceful and public way alongside allied community members.   [All photos by Ryan Hutson]

A tie-dye clad terrier sat ready to support his mama at the rally. [All photos by Ryan Hutson]

One of several protest pups posed to show off their badges of resistance, one reading “End the Occupation of Minneapolis” and another reading, “Save Democracy”.  [All photos by Ryan Hutson]

An image of a crown behind a slash mark is paired with the words, 
“No detainment without due process
No Military against Citizens
No Executive branch para military (ICE)
No ignoring the Constitution and rule of law
No stealing from the poor to give to the rich
No made up trade wars or unfair tariffs” [All photos by Ryan Hutson] [All photos by Ryan Hutson]