Women’s march pushes ahead in Regina despite extreme cold

Like anyone else braving the outdoors on Saturday, the crowd of people marching through downtown were bundled up with all sorts of winter gear, the difference is these mitts were grasping posters calling for equality and their nearly frozen mouths chanting for change.

The Women’s March wound through the streets on Saturday morning on a slightly shorter route because of the cold. Regina police led the march, clearing the way as the group made their point.

Regina was under an extreme cold warning at the time of the march, and wind chills were clocked at -40, but still, about 150 turned out for the march.

“I think that that says a lot more, that you come out here in the cold, because, I mean, it shows that no matter what you have to overcome it’s an important thing to show up for anyways,” said one woman.

About 150 people braved the cold and showed up for the Women’s March in Regina. Jan. 18, 2020 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Muna Deciman called it a good day to march for change.

“With what women are going through this weather should not be an issue,” said Deciman.

Deciman is part of the organizing committee for the march and has been since the beginning. This is the fourth year of the movement, with marches happening in hundreds of cities around North America, but it’s the third year for the organized march in Regina.

Deciman said she got involved because it’s the right thing to do.

“Women all over the world are going through tremendous oppression because of the changes men are making on their behalf. As women, we are the givers of life and we are the nurturers of life, but still, we are the least being cared for — we need a change for women’s life,” said Deciman.

It wasn’t just adults pushing for the cause, 13-year-old Kaitlyn McNeill helped put together the event as well.

She said she got involved to help change things for when she becomes an adult, but she also relayed a story about her class in school the year before — that she had a first-year teacher and the students would say horrible, sexist things to her.

About 150 people braved the cold and showed up for the Women’s March in Regina. Jan. 18, 2020 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

“I felt so bad for her so I kind of just wanted to make a difference and support people who go through the same things that she does,” explained McNeill.

The theme for the march this year was “march for the change you want to see” and for Brenda Lueke that’s a world where women can do whatever they want — work or stay home — without being judged.

“I think that we’re here to support that and give women a voice, and be heard,” said Lueke.