'Be The Light': LI Crowd Rallies In Advance Of Trump's Inauguration

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GREENPORT, NY — "No sign is big enough to list all the reasons why I'm here." So said one poster carried by a woman attending a Southold Women's Rally that took place in Mitchell Place in Greenport on Satuday.

Carrying signs and singing in solidarity, close to 200 came together despite the snow for the event, which was organized in advance of the second inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States on Monday, January 20.

"Several women became upset that their friends were turning off the news and giving up on their own participation in democracy. It felt different in 2016 when women took to the streets along with sympathetic men," organizers said. "They decided to hold a Women’s Rally at the North Fork’s 'public square' in Greenport’s Mitchell Park. The Women’s March will join with and expand the People’s March on January 18 in DC, Port Jefferson, and Foley Square in NYC."

Speakers at the rally discussed the many issues of concern that they believe need government action, including education, health care, immigration and its benefit to the economy, bodily autonomy, housing and participatory democracy, organizers said.

"We invite you to stand up for what we believe in and for each other," organizer Carolyn Peabody said before the event. "Make your voice be heard and grounded in community strength against the tide of misinformation, disrespect for women and undemocratic chaos that wells up to defeat us."

Randy Wade added, "Remember that we are many, we are determined, we show up — and we won’t give up."

Some of the speakers included: Tijuana Fulford of the Butterfly Effect Project; Kaitlyn Pawlukojc of Planned Parenthood; Gwynn Schroeder, community advocate; Carolyn Peabody, chair of the North Fork Unity Action Committee; Second Hands performing; Pastor Natalie R. Wimberly, Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church; and Patte McManus of Unitarian Universalists of Southold.

Before the event Debbie Hooper said: "I’m scared like everybody else, aren’t you? We’re not sure about this revenge tour, rather than caring about every day Americans."

Greenport Village Mayor Kevin Stuessi welcomed those in attendance and encouraged participation in local government, where he said one person can have a big impact, and emphasized his concern for affordable housing on the North Fork.

Rev. Natalie Wimberly urged all "to be the light and not give up hope, to take care of our community."

Everyone was handed a sign with a hero’s name, from the past to present day—including one for emcee Val Shelby.

"They felt these were shoulders upon which they were standing," said organizer Randy Wade. "This idea was from Patte McManus, who spoke on behalf of Unitarian Universalists of Southold. She emphasized courage shown by people who laid down their lives for democracy, for human rights and the environment."

The crowd sang John Lennon's "Imagine," she said.

High school senior Alexandria Fulford also spoke. "As a woman I want respect, but as a Black woman I want respect for my hair, culture, history and language. I want my history and my ancestor's history to be taught, celebrated, not segregated, hidden and banned. I want a future where I am celebrated, not tolerated. Where the glass ceiling does not exist. Where the color of my skin will not define me, my access or opportunities."

Alexandria’s mother Tijuana Fulford spoke as the founder and head of the Butterfly Effect in Riverhead about the work ahead and explained that she could not stay silent during a time of crisis for so many.

After singing “We are gentle, angry people fighting for our lives,” Rosario Rodriguez of Greenport, who has strong ties to, and family, in Guatemala, spoke about the essential role immigrants play in all of our lives, her own father’s struggle as a migrant farm worker, her path to becoming a citizen — and the fear that many must "hide in shadows" and would not have felt safe attending the event.

Liz Morrison, who said she was a midwife and Navy veteran as well as a Greenport local raised by her father, described the advantages she found when she inadvertently signed up with a recruiter at the high school.

She became a medic, receiving five years of on-the-job training; the GI bill paid for college allowing her to become a midwife — and in the military she had full medical coverage, paid family leave for mothers and fathers, she said.

She was followed by Laura Hoch said that her college experience was very different.

Hoch spoke about the staggering "$200,000 in interest" beyond her original college loan, and said she believes she will need to continue to pay it off even after she retires from her job as an elementary school teacher.

Hoch said she believes young people are now foregoing the opportunities a degree bestows in order to avoid a crushing life-long debt.

After singing "America the Beautiful," Kaitlyn Pawlukojc spoke on behalf of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic: "I hope today is just the beginning of your commitment to stand in solidarity with community members who believe in bodily autonomy and access to health care. We need you in this fight. We’re asking people to reach out to Governor Hochul and urge her to invest in sexual and reproductive health in the state budget."

Gwynn Schroeder continued the health theme as an advocate for health care for all. Schroeder said she is "shocked" that individuals have no choice but to see care from "companies that have the incentive to provide inadequate care in order to make more money." And she warned that she believe in 2025, the privatization of Medicare could be an issue.

As the event came to a close, the crowd sang "What the World Needs Now."

Kathryn Casey Quigley addressed threats to democracy and the impact volunteers can make.

Peabody closed the rally with information available to help immigrants from the ACLU called "Know Your Rights," along with other advocacy resources. She described a phone app, "5 Calls," whose staff researches causes and provides easy ways to call elected officials on issues, she said.

She also announced the start of a Community Action Center on the fourth Friday of the month at 4 p.m. at the Meeting House On The Bend in Southold, where individuals can find ways to take action, connect over issues, and provide a space for groups looking to recruit volunteers.