Idaho marchers join hundreds in 'Sister Rallies' on Saturday

By Eric Tegethoff, Northern Rockies News Service

BOISE, Idaho -- Marches are planned across Idaho and the nation on Saturday, the day after Donald Trump's inauguration. Women are rallying in solidarity, saying they feel the need to stand up for marginalized communities that some feel were maligned by the president-elect during his campaign. 

The Women's March on Idaho in Boise is expected to draw the largest crowd in the state on Saturday, despite forecasted winter weather. The event was organized by two local high school students, Nora Harren and Colette Raptosh. Harren said being too young to vote was part of what compelled them to organize the rally.

"I think that because we were unable to vote in this past election, before it, we felt that we didn't really have the say or the influence we wanted to have when it came to our local, state and national politics," Harren said.

The march will begin at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol in Boise. Nearly 3,500 people are planning to march, according to a Facebook page created for the event. The Women's March on Washington website estimates more than 200,000 will join that event in the nation's capital. 

Sister marches are planned in other Gem State cities as well, including Idaho Falls, Ketchum and Pocatello.

The march in Boise stems from an earlier event Harren and Raptosh also organized, called "People for Unity," held the day after the election. About 500 showed up and the young women decided to keep the momentum going. Now, Raptosh said she hopes it will continue beyond Saturday's march.

"I really hope that when people leave the march, they feel empowered, and like they can make a difference," Raptosh said. "I want them to leave hoping to do something more."

Speakers at the Boise march include state Rep. Melissa Wintrow, LGBTQ activist Dianne Piggott, and Idaho's first Syrian refugee, Asmaa Albukaie. The march will end at Boise City Hall, where the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Idaho Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and other groups will have booths set up.