Over 300 people participated in the Women’s March that took place on Jan. 21, 2017 in Pendleton. Law enforcement estimated 200, and organizers estimated that 300 took part in the march. The march was in solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington D.C.
The march started at City Hall and followed Dorion Ave. to the front steps of the Umatilla County Courthouse, where the procession stopped and marchers listened to speakers which included founding member of the Pendleton chapter of Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians Vickie Read. “We firmly declare that LGBTQ rights are human rights” declared Read to the marchers. “It is our obligation to uplift, expand, and protect the rights of our gay, lesbian, bi, queer, trans-gender, and gender non-conforming brothers and sisters and siblings.”
The march continued west on Court Ave and turned south onto Main Street. They chanted “love not hate makes America great.” The march ended in the parking lot of Heritage Station Museum with participants singing songs before dispersing.
An estimated 2.15 million marchers participated in Sister Marches in 34 cities nationwide.