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Women Call For Action On Many Injustices At March

Marisa Demarco / KUNM
2018 Women's March in Albuquerque

People took to the streets all over the world, around the country and here in New Mexico for a second year of women’s marches. The concerns they raised were broad, including protecting the environment, fighting systemic racism, health care access, police violence and immigration reform. 

KUNM went to Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza to find out what brought people out. And a quick head’s up: there’s a vulgar word in the audio of this story.

Credit Marisa Demarco / KUNM
Deborah Jiron

Monique Salhab of Veterans for Peace did two tours in Iraq and 10 years in the service. "I think about what the military represents to women," she said from the stage, "not only in the service but also throughout the world. The military represents violation, represents consumption."  

Deborah Jiron came to the march to bring attention to missing and murdered indigenous women. "Right now there are so many women that are still missing," she said. "There's a lot of things that are not being done."

Nkazi Sinandile told the crowd about her work on behalf of refugees and immigrants in Albuquerque. She said she comes from South Africa. "When I came to the United States I was hoping for a place that I could rest my soul from apartheid in South Africa," she said. "But unfortunately, I feel like I am back in South Africa."

Credit Marisa Demarco / KUNM
Jessica Anderson

Jessica Anderson did not go to the march last year, but she said the #MeToo movement and her own experience of sexual assault this year brought her out in 2018. "I just want to be equal," she said. "And I don't want to walk in fear."

Riley Del Rey stood behind the podium and took off her coat. "I want to show you all what a trans body looks like," she said to cheers and applause. "I'm a trans woman of color. I just want to tell you that everybody here deserves equality." 

Marisa Demarco / KUNM
Cathryn McGill

Cathryn McGill said she came out because all voices need to be represented. And she's encouraging people to recognize the importance of voting and keeping track of local politics. "If you don't know what precinct you live in, you don't know who your city councilor is or what your City Council district is, then you have to do something to make a change. It's easy to do."

Marisa Demarco began a career in radio at KUNM News in late 2013 and covered public health for much of her time at the station. During the pandemic, she is also the executive producer for Your NM Government and No More Normal, shows focused on the varied impacts of COVID-19 and community response, as well as racial and social justice. She joined Source New Mexico as editor-in-chief in 2021.
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