Flag-waving activists lined Martin Luther King Jr. blvd in Fort Myers Saturday for the Women’s March, one of hundreds staged across the country as we enter the eleventh hour of election season.
Local organizer, Women's March Fort Myers, felt it would be safer for physical distancing to line the sidewalks rather than march as a crowd down the middle of the street. They assigned each block with a topic women are concerned about this year.
Susan Cole drove up from Naples to participate.
“I am here with a whole bunch of my sisters from Naples with Moms Demand Action for Gun sense in America,” Cole said.
For her, gun reform is a critical topic that deserves more focus.
“It is even a more serious issue than ever before,” Cole said. “Gun sales have increased, and people are out of work and we need some sensible legislation.”
Drivers honked as they drove by in support, but some detractors just waved obscene gestures.
Each block was populated with groups of sign-holding people wearing masks. They waved and cheered at passing cars.
Patty Wilcox said she came to the march to support women’s rights and to speak up for the future of our country and for democracy.
Wilcox took several moments trying to decide the biggest issue for women on the ballot this year.
“Oh there are so many, right? So many things, definitely the supreme court is an issue," " Wilcox said. "But women’s health, and the access to care for women, all women.”
Denise McPherson waved an American flag and held a sign that read “Patriots for Biden Harris.”
“I’m out here because I love America and I believe the Democratic Party is the one that’s going to support our freedoms,” McPherson said.
It’s estimated that about 300 people lined the mile and half stretch through downtown Fort Myers.
