January 21, 2017 was the Women’s March on Washington. Held the day after Inauguration, half a million women marched in Washington. In what became a global movement, there were 25 “sister” marches across Canada, and over 600 around the world.
Over 4000 people packed the grounds of the Alberta Legislature for speakers, singing, and a short walk in solidarity with our sisters around the world.
Then came January 22, and the question of how to keep the momentum going. Alison Poste and Paula Kirman, two of the grassroots organizing team from January 21, decided to startĀ organizing under the #WMWYEG banner to keep up with calls to action and and to plan future events concerning women and feminism.
In a desire to keep the focus local and grassroots, the March On Edmonton Collective was formed as an affiliate of March On Canada, a network of other grassroots Canadian organizers.
The March On Edmonton Collective has organized a number of events including a discussion group and human library. On January 20, 2018 they organized the Women’s Anniversary March, which saw 1000 people return to the Legislature in a non-partisan show of support for women’s rights.
A story about March On Canada was featured in none other thanĀ ROLLING STONE! MOC’s Samantha Monckton in Vancouver had the honour of being interviewed. The article gives a very clear explanation of how and why March On Canada formed.