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Women’s March Emphasizes Midterm Elections, Diversity

This year's Women’s March in Kalamazoo focused on getting out the vote and making feminism more inclusive for people of color. Organizers say about 2,800 protestors walked from Western Michigan University to Bronson Park and back again on Sunday, advocating for women’s rights and other human rights issues. 

The march is based on the national protest that took place this time last year during President Trump’s inauguration. Featured speaker and Western engineering professor Betsy Aller says she’s confident that getting more voters to the polls in November will help their cause — especially women of color. 

Aller specifically mentioned how African American women help defeat Republican U.S. Senate candidate for Alabama Roy Moore. Moore has been accused of sexually assaulting young girls.

Michele Richards helped to organize the local event. She says this year’s elections have given her hope that more women, minorities, and LGBT people can take public office.

“There’s all kinds of interesting flips that have happened in other races in other states. So we hope we can help that effort as well," she said. "We’d like to see people who represent broadly the values of America and not just the minority that are being represented right now.”

Organizers of the Women’s March have created a Facebook group called “Rise Kalamazoo” to help with voter turnout and promote candidates for midterm elections this November.