Content Warning: This article contains content about sexual assault.
A Women 4 Women’s March was held on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus at the Hoeschler Clocktower on Wednesday, March 26 from 11am-2pm.
It was organized by the UWL College Democrats and the UWL College Feminists with other student organizations and community organizations invited to participate in the march.
While women’s rights was the general purpose of the protest, UWL College Democrat Madeline Maxson identified the four specific demands of the march:
- Protection of Title IX
- Protection of UWL’s Race, Gender and Sexuality Studies (RGS) Department
- Protection of pronouns, gender affirming protocols and general equality on campus
- Affiliation with political candidates, specifically Susan Crawford who is running for WI Supreme Court
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal assistance. With the uncertainty surrounding the Department of Education and its funds, Title IX could lose power since it only applies to education that is federally funded.
Maxson spoke about how women need protection on campus and mentioned UWL’s recent sexual assault cases, explaining how that ties into Title IX.
“Title IX protects women who have been assaulted on campus, and we hope that without the department of education, the university will still protect women on and off campus,” said Maxson. “Title IX doesn’t protect women off campus, but we believe that it should.”
While the focus of the march was on women’s rights, Maxson also stated that Title IX protects men on campus.
“It’s not just women who are assaulted. It is men, and men should have those protections, too, on campus and off campus, and they should be supporting their fellow females,” said Maxson. “This affects everyone. The things that we are demanding here at this protest affect everyone.”
Both men and women participated in the protest, with a large number of students and community members present.
UWL Student Jordyn Blitzner spoke about why she came to participate in the Women 4 Women’s March.
Blitzner came to support women on campus and the UWL College Feminists student organization. She recognizes how the organization provides a space for women on campus.
“I love that they [UWL College Feminists] are coming out here and having a protest where we can have our voices be heard and expressed. We are looking for less suppression and more expression,” said Blitzner.
Women’s rights was at the center of the Women 4 Women’s March, Blitzner emphasized its inclusivity.
“It doesn’t matter what color you are. It doesn’t matter where you come from. It doesn’t matter if you’re a transgender woman. We’re all women, and we have to celebrate womanhood and come together in unity,” said Blitzner.
Danessa Brocks, a UWL student who participated in Wednesday’s march said, “Protecting all women should be the main takeaway, no matter your beliefs… We’re all stronger together, and we’re making that statement today here at UWL, so let’s just continue to be strong and stand together.”
