Fine day to express thoughts about women’s, human rights

Why are you here today? Eva Pagliasotti, 11, Prescott, with her homemade sign. “I’m just making a statement.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

By Sue Tone

Originally Published: January 19, 2019 9:10 p.m.

Photo Gallery

Yavapai County Women March 2019

Anne Nightingale, 61, left front, and Bonnie Norvaisis, 66, embrace during the Yavapai County Women March On event at the Yavapai County Courthouse Jan. 19, 2019, as musicians sing, "We are like flowers out of concrete; We are like warriors into these streets." (Sue Tone/Courier)

About a dozen people protesting the marchers stand at the corner of Cortez and Montezuma streets. Dan Elkins, 71, right, said, “I believe radical feminists are more toxic than whatever they think men are doing. The American Psychiatric Association are saying traditional masculinity is some kind of mental disorder. That’s nonsense.” Rueben, 74, center, takes a stand against nasty women and abortion. He said he wants to make a statement in support of his views but he doesn’t want to alienate his friends and neighbors. “We live in a society today that is not like the 1950s when we used to be able to express our point of view without being afraid for your families.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Marchers circle the Yavapai County Courthouse during the Yavapai County Women March On event Jan. 19, 2019. (Sue Tone/Courier)

Participants perform a lively flash mob dance on the Yavapai County Courthouse during the Yavapai County Women March On event Jan. 19, 2019. (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Teresa Shiflett, 33, with Lujah. “Why not? Women are the minority in the workforce. I work in a male-dominated field – construction – we should all stand together and treat each other with love, respect and kindness. My dog’s ready, too.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Erica/Frank Ferguson, 50, Prescott. "I've been marching in activism since the mid-'80s. I identify as gender-bending. It's important that everybody is involved in equality. Everybody, not just what people think you are." (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Friends Liz, 38, Susan, 67, Stevie 41. Liz: “The signs summed it up. I’m concerned about the direction our country is going, its leadership is detrimental to the needs of us citizens and the entire world.” Susan: “I’m not happy with President Trump and would like improvement in school districts and for people with disabilities.” Stevie: “It’s women’s duty to come together on a regular basis. Birth control should be available at all companies. I’m married with two children and it’s my decision. It’s 2019 – it’s not right to deny access to birth control.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Howard Fromm, a young 85, Prescott Valley. “I’m here to wonder why we can’t pass the Equal Rights Amendment. People want to know. Arizona has a chance to put us over the edge, but I see nothing in the local media to support the passage.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Carolyn Diaz, 58, Prescott. "I would say I'm a feminist. I came here to escape California. I watched what the left did, they destroyed the state with their pro-immigration, pro-taxes. Here, we can have an opinion. If I wore a Trump T-shirt in California, I'd be dragged out of my car and beaten. Two congress women are forced to wear hijabs by their male leaders and their religion. It's wrong. They say they are choosing it, but they're not. That's what the women should be focused on rather than hating Trump. They should be over there saving these women." (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Praful Shah, 71, Prescott. "I'm carrying this sign to irritate the Trump supporters." (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Eva Pagliasotti, 11, Prescott, with her homemade sign. “I’m just making a statement.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Abby Brill with grand-niece, Adelaide. “It’s her first march. I want her life to be freer, fuller and more empowered than ours has been.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Jonathan Chin, 21, Prescott. “I stand in solidarity with all the women in my life that supported me, and to be visible. My mom is the most important person to me; she is the hardest worker I know. To not support her, I would be ashamed.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Dianne Hicks, 69, seated, and Katherine Wyly, 68, Prescott. (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Arlene Minuskin, 76, Prescott, with visiting stepson, Greg, 53, California. "I would march for everyone; I'm nursing a broken foot. I was very active as a teen in the Civil Rights movement. Today's activity is about inclusion." (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Warren Miller, 73, Prescott. “I’m here to support the issues that women are calling attention to, and to support the Equal Rights Amendment.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Jenna Bason, 12, Prescott. “I hate thinking about a lot of women are abused in relationships. I think it’s horrible. I just somehow want to make a change.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Caren Christensen, 63, Prescott, with friend, David Ungerer, 62, Prescott. “I’m a teacher and I’m here to help protect our children.” David: “I’m here to support her. I was here last year with a different hat.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Bella, 8, with father, Francisco Morales, 40, Prescott Valley and Phoenix. "My dad brought me here." Francisco: "I promised to walk with her around the courthouse. I wasn't aware of the march, and I decided to stay and get her exposed." (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Karen Anderson, 71, Prescott. "This is my third march. I want to do this until things change for the better." (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Sonny Williams, 14. “I’m here to support my fellow human beings and my sister. I believe everyone should be equal.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

Why are you here today? Becky Haynes, 68, Dewey-Humboldt. “I hope to have the ERA pass one of these days – it’s way overdue. Women’s rights are big for me, and the environment is important. Taking away the protection of the environment makes no sense to me. I was active in the ’60s and have always supported Planned Parenthood. I have a gay daughter and I support her.” (Sue Tone/Courier)

PRESCOTT — Even tempers and catchy slogans made the Yavapai County Women March On event on the courthouse plaza enjoyable while also making an important statement for women’s rights, as well as human rights in general, and the environment.

Temperatures in the mid-50s and sunshine didn’t hurt.

More than 1,000 participants – less than the 1,500 or more in previous years – showed up, some carrying signs, some wearing pink or red, to express their views. Wearers of pink hats generally were advocating for women’s rights; the people in red shirts supported education issues.

As last year, a flash mob had fun dancing in front of the north side of the courthouse, where earlier Meg Bohrman and several other musicians led the audience in peace and protest songs.

“We are rising like flowers, out of concrete. We are rising like warriors, into these streets,” Bohrman encouraged participants to chant. “It’s not about getting it right. It’s about getting it loud!”

Friends Liz, 38, Susan, 67, and Stevie, 41, said they're participating because they are "concerned about the direction our country is going, its leadership is detrimental to the needs of us citizens and the entire world,” Liz said.

“It’s women’s duty to come together on a regular basis," Stevie said. "Birth control should be available at all companies. I’m married with two children and it’s my decision. It’s 2019 – it’s not right to deny access to birth control.”

Click HERE to read more reasons people marched in the demonstration.

About a dozen protesters of the march stood at the corner of Montezuma and Cortez streets with Trump signs. Occasionally, a pick-up truck rounded the corner and tooted in support. Dan Elkins of Prescott carried signs stating, “Toxic Masculinity. You’re kidding me, right?” and “Toxic Feminism Emasculates Males.”

“I believe radical feminists are more toxic than whatever they think men are doing. The American Psychological Association is saying traditional masculinity is some kind of mental disorder. That’s nonsense,” said Elkins, who is 70-plus and strongly opposes abortion.

Marchers circle the Yavapai County Courthouse during the Yavapai County Women March On event Jan. 19, 2019. (Sue Tone/Courier)

A former Californian, Carolyn Diaz of Prescott, acknowledged she shares some of the same beliefs as the marchers. “Sometimes we agree on things,” she said, referring to one of her signs calling for the end of oppression for women with photos of women in hijabs. The other side said “Women for Trump.” She carried a Trump flag.

Diaz said the two new Muslim congresswomen who wear head coverings are forced to do so by their religion and male leaders, unlike Catholic nuns who choose to wear their head piece. In Iran, women cannot go bare-headed without being arrested, she said. She would like the marchers to focus on oppressed women in Muslim countries. “Rather than hating Trump, they should be over there saving those women.”

Marchers’ signs included the black-and-white slogan “Equal means Equal.” Others stated “Voting is Your Power” and “Men of Quality Don’t Fear Equality,” which was carried by Warren Miller, 73, of Prescott.

Women’s marches took place all over the world Saturday, and also flooded the streets of the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., where the first marches occurred in 2017.

Editor's Note - To read more comments and insights from the marchers, visit the photo gallery - where March participants answered our question: "Why are you here today?" The gallery contains six photos of the March and 18 participant images and their comments.