BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Hundreds gathered in front of Bethlehem Public Library calling for equality, dignity and justice for all on International Women’s Day on Saturday.
The crowd of about 500 women, men and children came prepared, bearing signs like “Get your laws of my body,” “Women’s rights are human rights” and “Equality for all.”
As children and parents colored their own poster boards on a table nearby, the excitement level of the crowd reached a fever pitch just as speakers overlooking Payrow Plaza took to the bullhorn.
Local organizers, including Shawna Knipper, Michelle Downing, and Josie Lopez were joined by Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana, Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach, Bethlehem City Councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek and others to speak for women’s rights and call out what they described as a conservative stronghold on the federal government since President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20.
“It is International Women's Day, and this administration, as well as Google and some other organizations, have decided to try and erase women from history, and we're not going to stand for it,” Knipper said.
First recognized by the United Nations in 1977, International Women's Day is celebrated globally and advocates for equal pay, reproductive rights, education and social justice worldwide.
In Bethlehem, many of the demonstrators spoke on the threat of proposed spending cuts to government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and others that they said will impact women more often.
According to health policy research and polling agency KFF, 57% of adult Medicaid patients between the ages of 19 and 64 in Pennsylvania were women.
Some spoke out on the issue of bodily autonomy, and the necessity for freedom to make their own decisions about birth control and abortion.
Others touched on issues linked to LGBTQ rights and the threat they could be under, especially transgender individuals, and how it is an integral mission to protect them and their access to care.
Even more speakers championed the same compassion for minority groups, urging everyone to work together to create a united front against opposition.
“They are trying to strip away our rights, piece by piece,” Knipper said to a passionate crowd.
“They expect us to stand still. To be silent. To be doormats. But I’ll tell you right now — if you force me to choose between being a doormat or being a bitch — I’ll choose bitch every damn time.”
She encouraged people to work within their community, to run for open school board and city council seats, to vote, and to continue protesting.
“In Spanish, when we march, we say ‘¡La lucha sigue!’ It means ‘The fight continues!’ and I think it’s a perfect sentiment for this moment," Lopez said.
“So I ask you now: Are you ready to resist? Are you ready to take back our cities? Then, ¡Palente mi gente! Onward, my people! ¡La lucha sigue! And solidarity with anyone doing anything to stand on the right side of history in this moment. Because Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton is ours!”
Corinne Goodwin, executive director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Trans Equity Project, assailed numerous orders Trump has taken against the transgender community. She warned that the administration could easily roll back access to women’s medical rights, the rights of the disabled and the elderly, stressing the need for solidarity among women and all others to protect the community as a whole.
"And if we're going to fight them, if we're going to win, we need to do more than just march or rally.”Corinne Goodwin, Pennsylvania Trans Equity Project
“They are coming for the people that you know and you love," Goodwin said, urging those in attendance to plan to build community, establish frequent contact with elected officials, and take action to break out of everyone’s comfort zone to achieve change.
"Now we know that these are the actions of a minority people with an 18th century worldview," she said, "but they're the ones that are in power right now. And if we're going to fight them, if we're going to win, we need to do more than just march or rally.”
As the crowd came together and began a march toward the Fahy Bridge, cars honked in support and by-passers cheered as people hoisted their signs, banners and voices.
Knipper and Downing said the work would not end with the conclusion of the march. They said it needed to carry on throughout communities.
“We want to make sure folks sign up with Lehigh Valley Mutual Aid and learn what mutual aid is and share it with their communities,” Knipper said.
“We’ve been here since Jan. 20. There have been massive protests across the country, and we’re not going anywhere.”
