Women’s marches sprung up for a second year in villages, towns and cities around New Mexico this weekend with a call to vote in the coming elections and change the political climate. While the movement has been criticized nationally for a lack of diversity, Albuquerque’s rally was led by women of color.
Kency Cornejo spoke to thousands of people, mostly women, standing under gray skies in the wind on Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza. They wore bright knit hats and carried colorful signs.
"Remember that immigration, economic, racial, gender, climate justice are interconnected struggles," she said. "So pay attention. Get enraged. And make your voice count at the polls. Because an attack on one woman is an attack on all of us."
For some, it was their first march. Like Susie Montoya.
"I think I’ve stayed quiet too long, and thought that my voice didn’t matter, and I thought it was time to do something and stand with my fellow women," she said. "Being out here today just shows that so many of us are on the same page. And it’s really sad that all of us on the same page and nothing is happening. And at least for me anyways, I want to get more involved and make sure that all of our voices are heard."
Speakers tackled environmental degradation around the state, fighting for the rights of transgender people, preserving DACA and immigrant rights, and ending sexual assault.
People could register to vote at the rally, and women candidates for a variety of offices around New Mexico were also on hand.
"We must all resist with and for each other," Cornejo said.
