Montezuma Alliance for Unity will host a rally and march Saturday to raise awareness of women’s rights and the importance of voting.
The rally begins at 10 a.m. with speeches at the flag pole area of Cortez City Park, located on the corner of Main Street and Mildred Road.
Speakers include Cortez Mayor Karen Sheek, Democrat candidate for Montezuma County Commission MB McAfee, Democratic candidate for 58th House District Seth Cagin, the Bridge Emergency Shelter director Laurie Knutson, and Cortez City Council candidates Mike Lavey and Lance McDaniel.
There will be information about candidates and issues, and a station where people can register to vote.
After the speeches, there will be a march around a four-block area that stops along Main Street. March marshals will lead chants, and participants are encouraged to bring respectful signs.
“The whole point is the power of the voting booth, and getting people registered for local, state and national elections,” said organizer Barbara Stagg. “Speak up and participate is the message.”
Tulli Kerstetter, one of the founders of Montezuma Alliance for Unity, said the Cortez event is tied to the national 2018 Women’s March, which expects to have 250 similar rallies across the nation this weekend. The theme is Power to the Polls.
“We’re saying change can happen at the polls, and we’re encouraging women to run for office,” she said. “Everyone is welcome to the rally.”
Sexual assault on women, lack of equal pay, crimes and discrimination against women, and access to health care are all topics that need more solutions, Kerstetter said.
She said the mission for Montezuma Alliance for Unity is: “Bringing people of the Four Corners together to protect human rights and save the planet.”
On Sunday in Las Vegas, Women’s March 2018 plans a massive rally at Sam Boyd Stadium that includes singer Faith Evans, speaker and actress Marisa Tomei and plus activists from Planned Parenthood.
Marchers in Cortez should dress warmly, as a minor winter squall is expected to roll into town early Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance of snow showers before 8 a.m. Saturday, then rain and snow showers are likely. The high Saturday is expected to be 45 degrees.
In January 2017, more than 500 people joined the Montezuma Alliance for Unity’s first Women’s March, which was also held in solidarity with similar events across the nation.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com