Almost a year ago, I woke up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning and bundled up with one of my closest friends heading out to the Women’s March. As we sat on the bus, local workers asked us where we were headed, mentioning how exciting it was that so many people were getting together to protest the injustices of the new administration. I remember one lady saying, “I haven’t felt this much energy since I went to a Vietnam protest back in college”. Needless to say, the energy was infectious. The feeling of rebellion and a closeness with one’s freedom to gather and protest buzzed throughout the nation. Once the March started a few hours later, the energy was almost stomach churning. As I marched alongside my brave Planned Parenthood colleagues, I couldn’t help but feel that this moment in Park City could truly make a change.
And all across the country, this energy was felt as over four million Americans protested all throughout the nation. Political scientists estimate that 1 in every 100 Americans came out to the march, making the Women’s March the largest single-day protest in United States history.
Yet the cynic on my shoulder shouted, “What good can a protest truly do?” It’s a common statement, one you’ve probably heard in an intro PoliSci course from that white guy who sits in the corner. This statement always gets me flustered, because I immediately respond that protests unite the people and create a tidal wave of energy. The same energy that I felt as I marched in the cold alongside countless women, allies, and change makers is the exact goal of a protest. I believed in this idea of “a movement of energy” for quite sometime, but as the administration took hold, I recognized that the change that I wanted was way beyond girls gathering in pussy hats. I wanted representation. I wanted our vision to be carried out and embraced in every form of government.
So how well did the Women’s March do? Did marching make the change that we wanted locally? Has our vision been carried out in the state of Utah? Well lads, I believe it’s time for a Year in Review.
A Year in Review – 2017
The Women’s March has several pillars that are expounded throughout their mission statement of the many reasons #whywemarch. The core values and principles of the March include: ending violence, reproductive freedom, LGBTQIA rights, worker’s rights, civil rights, disability rights, immigrant rights, and environmental justice. I thought that it was only right to look back on the previous year of activism through the lens that these pillars provide. And thus we turn to local and national politics with this frame of reference in mind to analyze the progress of the movement that the Women’s March energized…
ENDING VIOLENCE
“Women deserve to live full and healthy lives, free of all forms of violence against our bodies. We believe in accountability and justice in cases of police brutality and ending racial profiling and targeting of communities of color. It is our moral imperative to dismantle the gender and racial inequities within the criminal justice system.”
Local Progress — In 2017, there were eight people killed by police in Utah according to the national database logging police violence. Of these eight, none of the officers have received justice for their actions thus far. The information is unclear about fatal police shootings earlier than this past year. Some sources say that Utah was without any fatal altercation between the police and citizens since 2015. Unfortunately, within this state, there seems to be a lack transparency between Utah locals and their police. While the State reported no “fatal” encounters in 2016, the encounters that maimed individuals such as the paralyzing of Abdi Mohamed primarily impacted people of color within our community. Thus maintaining the racial inequity of the criminal justice system in Utah. Within the year there were several protests led by Utah Against Police Brutality, yet unfortunately, nothing was passed in the legislature to reduce police violence.
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
“We believe in Reproductive Freedom. We do not accept any federal, state or local rollbacks, cuts or restrictions on our ability to access quality reproductive healthcare services, birth control, HIV/AIDS care and prevention, or medically accurate sexuality education. This means open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people, regardless of income, location or education.”
Local Progress — Last year in the legislative session, many bills were targeted the issue of reproductive rights. A bill was passed that now requires physicians to show all women seeking an abortion medically inaccurate information in order to obtain “informed consent” by skewing their ideas of the procedure and its impact to their body. Not in the right direction. And once again, a bill trying to ban abortions after 20 weeks popped up making its annual appearance, and was shut down, again.
LGBTQIA RIGHTS
“We firmly declare that LGBTQIA Rights are Human Rights and that it is our obligation to uplift, expand and protect the rights of our gay, lesbian, bi, queer, trans or gender non-conforming brothers, sisters and siblings. We must have the power to control our bodies and be free from gender norms, expectations and stereotypes.”
Local Progress — For the longest time, educators in Utah could not speak or answer questions about homosexuality in any classroom setting. Previously, Utah held a standard with the Utah Department of Education that stated that no educator is allowed to “advocate” for homosexuality in any situation. In 2017, this language was removed and now health instructors are open to answer questions about sexuality for all students. Adios no homo promo! Oh and as an added bonus, several LGBTQIA identifying individuals won their municipal races and are representing individuals all across the state!
WORKERS RIGHTS
“We believe in an economy powered by transparency, accountability, security and equity. All women should be paid equitably, with access to affordable childcare, sick days, healthcare, paid family leave, and healthy work environments. All workers – including domestic and farm workers, undocumented and migrant workers – must have the right to organize and fight for a living minimum wage.”
Local Progress — Utah’s current minimum wage is $7.25, similar to the federal minimum wage for hourly employees. Although legislation made its way to the House floor last session, no increase in wage was ever signed into law by Governor Herbert. Similarly, although expansions to Medicaid were proposed for contraceptive access, this legislation did not make it through the session. Yet this year, it is rumored that Dems and Republicans alike are planning to hit hard on several issues pertaining to workers rights.
CIVIL RIGHTS
“We believe Civil Rights are our birthright, including voting rights, freedom to worship without fear of intimidation or harassment, freedom of speech, and protections for all citizens regardless of race, gender, age or disability. We believe it is time for an all-inclusive Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
Local Progress — In the beautiful day and age of 2017, the Equal Rights Amendment has not been ratified by the state of Utah. At the beginning of the year, the status of the ERA in Utah made the state one of only 14 states who have not ratified the amendment passed by Congress in 1972. In the past year, our neighbor, Nevada, ratified the Amendment meaning that only two states need to ratify in order to gain a 3/4 majority of the states. But ah, I digress. What happened in 2017 with the ERA? It was proposed in the House, unfortunately it did not get that far. Once again, women’s groups throughout the state are consolidating in an effort to get the amendment ratified once and for all. Cross your fingers folks, and call ya damn legislators!
DISABILITY RIGHTS
“We believe that all women’s issues are issues faced by women with disabilities and Deaf women. As mothers, sisters, daughters, and contributing members of this great nation, we seek to break barriers to access, inclusion, independence, and the full enjoyment of citizenship at home and around the world. We strive to be fully included in and contribute to all aspects of American life, economy, and culture.”
Local Progress — Disability rights still seems to be a crudely developed movement within the State Legislature. Progress is ever laborious and lethargic towards getting access and inclusion for disabled members of the community. Last session, bills were proposed, but were not passed that would have expanded access to education for individuals 3-22 years of age. One highlight is that the language of medical disability was reconfigured to improve the benefits of firemen and firewomen.
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS
“Rooted in the promise of America’s call for huddled masses yearning to breathe free, we believe in immigrant and refugee rights regardless of status or country of origin. We believe migration is a human right and that no human being is illegal.”
Local Progress — As I researched the progress done by local legislators to enforce, embrace, and empower their communities, I was proud to find a powerful piece of legislation about immigrant rights passed in the state session last year. Rep. Patrice Arent and Sen. Brian Shiozawa sponsored a bill that affirms “a resolve to protect the civil liberties, religious freedoms, and dignity of all Americans, legal immigrants, and refugees seeking protection against persecution” as well as that the Legislature “welcomes any and all efforts to educate and promote understanding and good will among the pluralistic communities that are an integral part of Utah’s rich history and heritage”. The bill passed with flying colors and has been adopted by the Legislature in their daily practice. Hopefully this statement of protection and solidarity with immigrants will grow into a prosperous support of immigrants, both documented and undocumented, as they pursue citizenship.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
“We believe that every person and every community in our nation has the right to clean water, clean air, and access to and enjoyment of public lands. We believe that our environment and our climate must be protected, and that our land and natural resources cannot be exploited for corporate gain or greed – especially at the risk of public safety and health.”
Local Progress — I’m not going to lie. This year was really rough for Utah environmentally. Almost everyone in the state has a visceral reaction each time the words “Bears Ears” or “Grand Staircase” are mentioned in conversation. One of the most controversial decisions made locally by President Trump was to rescind the national monument status of both locations favoring “less federal involvement in local lands”. Yet by rescinding the protection for these monuments, ancient lands as well as indigenous lands are threatened by the possibility of oil drilling and disrespectful environmental practices upon sacred land. Our environment is at jeopardy due to this decision, and currently several tribes are protesting the decision with a landmark lawsuit.
These are only a few of the many highlights of local activism and civic engagement throughout the 365 days of 2017. And although there is much to dismay, the energy of hope and persistence still remains. So as we embark on 2018, reflect on the work that has been done, what needs to be accomplished, and what needs to be protested. The marching doesn’t end here. In 2018, we will make our voices heard not only in the legislation that we support but also in the votes we contribute. This year get ready to bring your energy, and power, to the polls. Here’s to yet another monumental and record-breaking year of activism!