Women’s March fills streets of downtown Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Hundreds of people filled Bronson Park for the women’s march that filled the streets of downtown Kalamazoo Sunday.

Some people made the trip as far south as Northwest Indiana to take part in the march just weeks from the election.

Through music, signs and chants, demonstrators called for support of gun control legislation and reproductive health care.

“We are talking about not going back to archaic laws we need to protect women and children,” said organizer Michelle Zukowski-Serlin.

Organizers said the march was not only meant to energize a voter base but also to express the issues of top concern for some women voters.

“A lot of times people think especially women are meek and mild and we don’t speak up. But today’s that day we want to bring everybody to show that we are more than meek and mild or cat woman. we are ready to fight,” said Shardae Chambers and other organizer.

The event brought in speakers from Moms Demand Action Kalamazoo to the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan.

In the crowd, a mix of generations with different reasons for being there. For Haley Terpstra, the election means the future for reproductive health care access. Terpstra suffered two entopic pregnancies that left permanent damage.

“Without medical intervention, I would have passed away. We have people in other states that are passing away and we need equal rights across the board,” said Terpstra.

Paige Hein made the drive out of state with family. Dispute being too young to vote this November, she wanted to have her voice heard.

“This is, you know, my future. These policies that are being voted on at the national level, I mean this has a big impact on the world that I’ll grown up in and be in. So that’s why it really means a lot to me. I drove up from Northwest Indiana to Michigan today because it really is that important,” she said.

For Western Michigan University student Mari Deschryver, it’s the future of the country driving her vote. It’s also the historic possibility of Vice President and Democratic Candidate Kamala Harris becoming the first woman elected president.

“That is just amazing to see her break those barriers and bring woman into a new spot of authority in this country, a new leadership position. And it’s inspiring,” said Deschryver.

The march happened days before Harris is expected to campaign in Lansing , Grand Rapids and Detroit later this week.

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