By Jennifer Corr
Self published on Patch.Com
PORT JEFFERSON,NY-- The international Women's March movement that brought political signs and chants to big cities the past three years has made its way to the corner of a busy Long Island Highway on Jan 19.
However this is not the first time Long Island commuters drove past a protest on the busy Nesconsent Highway in Port Jefferson. Three years ago, Kathy Greene Lahey organized the Port Jefferson Women's March which, according to Greene Lahey, has united locals with similar beliefs.
"I felt alone," Greene Lahey said. "When we did that Women's March in 2017 and 2000 people came to this very corner, it was comforting to know that there were a lot of other people who had the same belief system as I did."
This year, 2000 people may have not showed up to this local protest, but a good turn-out did appear. On the Facebook event page, 39 users confirmed that they were going, and 137 users declared their interest in the event.
Protesters filled up carts with feminine hygiene products for women in local shelters.
Local organizations and activists joined the local protesters, including the Suffolk County Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Long Island Rising, Moms Demand Action and the 2018 political opponent to Representative Lee Zeldin, Perry Gershon.
"One of the reasons I'm here today is because it's not over [despite the recent election]," Vanessa Longobardi said, who is a member of the DSA and spoke at the rally. She later said, "now is not a time lay off on the pressure. Now is the time to turn it up and commune in places like this so that you know that you are not alone in your thoughts, your ideas and your feelings."
Gershon also said a few words at the rally, discussing his thoughts about his last election, which received 128,000 votes, and the government shutdown.
"I'm proud of the turnout [of the last election]," Gershon said. He later said, "I think any protest, any opportunity for Americans and Long Islanders to show that we're not happy with the status quo, that we want a change, is important. Right now I find the government shutdown very disturbing. We're asking good people to work for this country, to protect our skies, protect our border and protect the coast, the Coast Guard, and we are not paying them."
The local group, Long Island Rising, has been protesting the past seven years with dance and song, showcasing their dance to the 2019 rally. The choreographed dance was to the song "Break the Chain" by Tena Clark and is part of a global movement called "One Billion Rising", which uses the song and dance to protest violence against women.
Passengers of cars honked their horns and only a few expressed their opposition to the protest as they passed by. The crowd cheered, chanted and held up creative signs with various sayings on them.
One protester in particular led many of the chants.
"I've been inspired since I would say high school to come out and speak for women and people of color and diversity," protester, Shineye Wright, said. "They're [the administration] all about profit, they're all about war. They're not about the people. This "anti-immigration" machine that he is using is not working. We are a land of immigrants, we come from immigrants."
A few protesters participated in debates with those driving by, including Karen Allen, who talked politics with a driver.
"I don't mind speaking with people," Allen said. "They don't rile me up. They can call me anything, I don't care. I'm confident enough that I could turn around and walk away."
Though a good amount of the protesters were female, men turned out to the Long Island Women's March Rally as well. One protester named Frank, who wishes to not give his last name, came because he is a "concerned senior citizen". This was not his first march, however, as he has been to the 2018 DC Women's March and March for Our Lives.
"I think it's about time that we are finally recognizing that how much sexual discrimination and harassment is in the workplace and in our society as a whole."
The march went from about 2 P.M to 4 P.M, as marchers stood in 37 Degree weather on the 29th day of the 2018-2019 government shutdown.
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