
A march in Wisconsin, which is part of a national effort, will be held this weekend in unity for multiple causes such as reproductive care access to fighting oppression to global solidarity in ongoing conflicts ahead of Inauguration Day.
The People’s March is a nationally concerted effort to call for action as the next presidential administration prepares to step in. Protesters aim to call on elected officials to protect rights expected to be pulled back during President Trump’s second term. Elected officials like District 15 Alder Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford and State Rep. Francesca Hong will speak along with groups like Voces de La Frontera, Madison Abortion and Reproductive Rights Coalition for Healthcare, Madison Socialist Alternative and many more to call for action.
Causes in support of the march include women’s, workers’, abortion, trans and immigration rights along with global solidarity with Palestine, Lebanon, Congo and Sudan; environmental justice; and housing justice.
“All oppression is linked. That is why, when you have one form of oppression, that oppression is linked to all forms of oppression,” said Dana Pellebon, executive director for the Dane County Sexual Violence Resource Center, who will speak at the march. “Until all forms of oppression are eradicated, we are not free. So reproductive rights tie into trans rights tie into women’s rights tie into rights for folks who have been purposefully left out.”
Protesters will demand legislators and the Wisconsin Supreme Court take action. The demands of the People’s March are no genocide, deportation or abortion ban and to address housing issues, health care; protect unions; and promote democracy over profit.
“We want to make our voices known that this is unacceptable,” Pellebon said. “We are at a precipice in this nation, where we are seeing the definition of rights and we are hearing language that causes fear and causes people to make drastic decisions because of that fear.”
The march will also call for the end of 2011’s Act 10 passed under former Gov. Scott Walker. The act, which limits the ability for public employees to collectively bargain in unions, has garnered strong controversy since its passing almost 14 years ago.
Act 10 has recently come into controversy again after state Republicans appealed an early December 2024 decision where Dane County District Judge Jacob Frost struck down several portions of it in violation of Wisconsin’s equal protection clause, Wisconsin Public Radio Reported.
The People’s March will take place Saturday, Jan. 18 at James Madison Park at 1 p.m. Protesters plan to be at the State Capitol around 2 p.m.