Today’s International Women’s Day “Unite and Resist” rally drew over 200 people to the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.
Organizers said, “we’re taking to the streets to fight back against the fascist takeover. Join us to defend our rights, our bodies, and our future. No permission needed — just show up, bring signs and friends!”
Plenty of women — and men — did. They filled both sides of the span.
Passing motorists honked in support. Some held their own signs.
Here are some scenes from the day:
(All photos/David Vita)
(Photo/Dayle Brownstein)
(Photo/Susan Garment)
Trump and his goons have set woman’s and individual rights into the Dark Ages.everyone knows how he treats women. Convictions mean nothing to him . And this is the felon some elected to president. History will remember Trump as the worst ever! Amazing that him and other Republicans think that he’s the answer. Answer your destroying democracy and the US
lol!! Gotta love the Rich with Westport liberals. More people at a rally to kill baby’s than they can get at a prayer group.
Democrats for women a bunch of hypocrites. They want men in women Sports.
Do they stand for all the girls raped and killed by illegal immigrants. How about all the young girls sold for sex trafficking. You are such white privileged white folk.
Ah, now that’s more like it! Not exactly English, of course. Doesn’t make a ton of sense. Not anywhere close to a tight five on slatternly Dems. But you got “privileged” into the comment! You may be the Little Engine That Couldn’t, Shouldn’t, and Can’t, but we love to watch you try!
The mean income in Westport is 110K so not everybody is rich. Abortion terminates a fetus which is not a baby. Life begins with diapers. Over 64% of Democrats do not approve of “men in women sports.” The crime reported by “Illegal immigrants” is vastly overrated, less than 10%. Most want to work and we have a labor shortage. Was it not the rich Epstein who was into sex trafficking along with many rich cartel leaders? Many of us are privileged but recognize that and give money, time and compassion back. All you do it spread your venom hate.
http://www.carladdisonswanson.com
Thank you. Yours are the same thoughts I wanted to share, but didn’t have the energy to do so. By the way, I’m a paraprofessional in the Westport School District, and have struggled to live here for 23 years. So yes, not all of us are rich.
No, thank you for your service to the town via the school district. I have lived here since 1952 and seen the traumatic change in the town, much of it to my disliking. But when a former resident spews his ignorant hatred nearly every day on this blog, I am not sure why it is tolerated? Professor Woog may not have the power to exclude this idiot from the blog, because of his non-profit status, but he sure can edit or delete his continuous verbal diarrhea. Are you listening Dan?
Hey Scooter,
As I recall Dan took Jeff to task in the blog not too long ago and made it clear what his opinion was. It’s tough for many of us “indigenous” Westporters to accept what Westport has become and many different ways in which it has not changed for the better. How ironic that a town that freely excoriates oligarchs and “white privilege” so vehemently harbors so many of them.
Buck: If the Professor took “Jeff” to task, then why does his constant nonsensical attacks continue?
And I do not agree with your assessment. My distaste for the town’s transformation comes from its burning desire to be “special” via constant development by those empowered. Thankfully, the majority of folks here do not share that goal. And along with Jeff, you do not live here either.
Scooter,
Thanks for hanging in there with me.
Why?
Arrested development?
Unresolved issues with growing up in Westport?
Compulsion to “own the libs”?
No Sigmund,
Bipolar 2
AD/HD
Aversion to samctimony
“Arrested development” is Erik Erickson
Westport changed during Covid and the many NY transplants added a new dimension to the once tranquil friendly town. Added to the constant need to “show off” with elaborate spending coupled with horrendous traffic, this is no longer a town, it is a mini-city and IMO, poorly managed.
This post tell us that you are dumb-as-f__k and and illiterate.
Learn how to spell and leave a cogent message ’cause the one you left is nonsensical.
Jeff, I’m almost 78 and never saw a man in a woman’s sport, and I don’t know anyone who has. I’ll bet Trump has cheated on his wives more times than there are men in women’s sports in the state of Connecticut. And with all the problems in the world, I frankly don’t give a damn about it! Does anyone know any men in a woman’s sport?
Kill baby’s what?
A fabulous showing this afternoon on the Bridge!
Thanks to the women who brought along the loud speaker! Genius.
Lots of good energy and good people who are fed up with TRUMP and MUSK and showed up in big numbers!
So nice the Westport Senior Center schedules a field trip to the Rt 1 bridge.
Maria.iorio9@yahoo.com
The photos I’ve seen show people of all ages out there, but those seniors you try to disparage with your quip? They already fought this fight for us in the 60 and 70’s, can’t believe they have to do it again, but still show up for us. I for one am grateful.
Jeff Arciola. Pro forced birth. He doesn’t care if you’re 10 years old and were raped by your dad, Jeff says, it’s not your body any more, it belongs to men. Men have bodily autonomy, but women do not. Men decide what women can do with their own bodies, not women. I sure hope Jeff’s wife, daughter or granddaughter isn’t impregnated by a rapist.
So, let’s hunt down every innocent child of a rapist and retroactively offer his mother the abortion she was deprived of having before it was born. We won’t give the kid a choice, we’ll just kill it. Who wants to do the honors? The kid could grow up to be principal at Staples High or head soccer coach, no matter we’ll just kill it.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act failed to pass 51-45 because 45 Democrats voted against it.
So wave all the signs you want, maybe vote differently next time.
Touché! refreshing to read fact rather than histeric signs. Annick D.
Wow, Jeff..
Your sarcastic jab at the women’s rights rally on Ruth Cohen Bridge reveals a shocking misunderstanding of real issues. Rallying for women’s rights doesn’t mean we neglect other critical topics like sex trafficking; these struggles are deeply intertwined.
Westport has a proud history of activism. Remember our Town’s public stance against the Vietnam War? This town has always been on the front lines, ( and on the bridge) championing justice and progressive values—not hiding behind ignorance.
Your comments about women’s sports ignore the crucial fight for equity and inclusion. We’re all here to uplift one another, advocating for women’s rights, transgender rights, and LGBTQ rights alike. Let’s be honest: if you want to critique, engage in real conversations. Only then can we work toward solutions that promote justice and equality for all Americans! Your comments shine a light on a sadness where we no longer want to understand each other. Remember, no hate can thrive in the light!
KaPow!
Betsy Phillips Kahn, bravo!!!
And where are all the freedom-fighting-conservatives? It boggles the mind how so many are overlooking, or pleased with the tyrannical behavior of Trump and Musk. Archie Bunker would be rolling over in his grave.
Now Carroll O’Conner might be rolling in his grave, but Archie Bunker would be marching with his opposition signs.
Nah, he’d have never taken up for Putin.
we are a country aligned with russian values.
How did I miss knowing about this? I would have so been there.
Dan, what a wonderful selection of photos from today’s Women’s Rally for our Rights. I found it very uplifting – hundreds turned out!
A super event, well attended. I believe our nation is in danger. That is what my sign stated.
Don, yours was my favorite sign. Were you the person with the golden retriever? I took a pic of you with your sign and your dog. The key message in my opinion.
WOW. Sad to read so many people err whining and Turing Women’s Day into a Trump basing event. Seriously, a few people here need a hobby.
I have a hobby. My hobby is defending the Constitution and speaking out against draft dodgers who are convicted felons who stick their tiny fingers under the dresses of women!
As I recall, there was no shortage of draft dodgers in the 60’s of our youth Jack. Especially in Westport. I don’t know how many of them used bone spurs as their dodge but if it worked it was a good thing.
As far as my class, I know more who volunteered for the military than attempted to avoid the draft. Most Staples young men went on to college which was a legitimate deferment and the lottery went into effect January 1st, 1969 which determined many’s fate. 49 Westporters served in Vietnam, 5 did not come home. I chose to remember our/their sacrifice instead of those who did not serve, like you. Once again, your protestations are based on hearsay. Bravo Zulu, Jack.
an awful lot of hate and TDS on display! Very unlike Westporters in general. Wonder how many protesters are actually town residents.
The deranged president wants to take over Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada and will use armed forces to do so if necessary. He blew up NATO and switched allegiances from Ukraine to Russia, in the middle of the war. But according to Robert, it is the bridge protesters who are deranged. Huh. And Robert will be glad to have his social security and Medicare taken away from him and everyone else. And next years flu shot? Who needs that? Welcome back Measles! Good to see ya polio! No vaccines for you. Next!
Thanks to all who marched. Sorry I was not able to be there with you.
To those who use “men in sports” to excuse the behavior of Putin’s Puppet will find out soon enough. This is about our way of life, our liberty, The American Way. This is about everyone who grew up a proud American.
Dayle,
Yes, that was me with our Golden Retriever, Mazie. If you have a photograph to send, just ask Dan Woog for my e mail address. I authorize Dan to provide it to you.
Thanks,
I will do that, Don.
This is undoubtedly a tough subject. On one hand, shifting abortion laws to the state level prevents a single administration from making sweeping changes that could impact the entire country. If abortion were controlled federally, one shift in power could leave women with no options across all 50 states. On the other hand, some women may not have the means to travel out of state for necessary care.
It’s hard to believe that some people think life begins at birth, especially when a baby in the womb could already sustain itself outside of it.
As usual, arguments lose their effectiveness when TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) enters the discussion. Bias takes over, clouding the issue and preventing any real solutions from emerging.
Presidents from both parties have a history of abusing women and cheating on their spouses, yet few are willing to acknowledge or criticize their own side. Much like Trump, the political norm seems to be: never admit you’re wrong, never apologize, exaggerate, and rely on hyperbole. This only distorts reality and deepens divisions.
It’s also difficult to defend men competing in women’s sports, especially when the focus is only on extreme cases. Not too long ago, performing transgender surgeries on minors was considered a criminal act, yet now the conversation has shifted dramatically.
But as always, it’s nearly impossible to find a space for balanced discussion—where people aren’t blinded by bias and are willing to consider both sides. A place where, instead of shutting each other down, we actually educate one another and work toward solutions.
1. Shifting abortion laws to the states didn’t prevent a single administration from making changes that impacted the entire nation, Trump’s Supreme Court had already done that when they blew up Roe, taking away a constitutional right from every female in America.
2. Nobody believes life begins at birth, but some people do believe that a collection of a few cells is the same thing as a 9 month old baby. As many know, late term abortions are extremely rare, but despite knowing it, they chose to misrepresent it as if that is what happens in all abortions.
3. Men competing in women’s sports, if it has occurred, likely happened not as a result of the sport changing its regulations, but more likely due to an individual who has tried to circumvent the rules.
Regarding balanced discussions, what rationale case can be made for one side insisting that the other side is wrong and demanding their point of view be followed and adhered to by the “wrong side”? Who made them the boss of me?
You raise a lot of thoughtful points, and I appreciate the conversation.
On Roe, the reality now is that abortion law is in the hands of the states, which means people in different places are living under vastly different rules. Some see that as a good thing—more local control, more reflection of community values. Others see it as a problem, especially for people who don’t have the means to travel if they need or want an abortion. A constitutional amendment would be the most solid way to guarantee any specific national standard, but that’s incredibly difficult to pass. Short of that, Congress could try to legislate a federal law on the issue, but that would depend on who holds power, and it would likely be challenged in court.
On the question of when life begins, there’s always going to be disagreement. Some believe it begins at conception, some at viability, some at birth. While a majority might not take the strict “life begins at birth” position, the legal framework in the U.S. has traditionally been based more on viability than conception. And on the flip side, even many who believe life begins at conception still support some exceptions for abortion, so it’s not a completely black-and-white issue for most people.
As for men competing in women’s sports, I think the real debate is over how to handle transgender athletes. It has happened, and it’s a legitimate discussion—especially when it comes to fairness in competition and the biological differences that might remain despite hormone treatments. Some sports have handled it differently than others, and the policies continue to evolve.
And yeah, democracy is messy. We all live under laws we don’t agree with, and sometimes those laws are made by people we wouldn’t have voted for in a million years. But that’s the system. The challenge is balancing federal policies with state-level flexibility so that we’re not forcing one-size-fits-all solutions on places with different cultures and economies. The flip side is that if we leave too much up to the states, you can end up with vastly different rights depending on where you live. There’s always going to be that tug-of-war.
What’s your take? Would you prefer more decisions left to the states, or do you think some things should be standardized at the federal level?
Thank you. That was a most considerate and reasonable response. When Roe was the law of the land, women’s rights and options across the country were protected, no matter where she resided. She had the right to access all options available to her, no matter her zip code and to make her best decision in private. She could chose to end her pregancy or not and to not to end her pregrancy, the decision was hers alone to make. Now with Roe gone, you are subject to the whims of whatever state you happen to receive mail at. I mean, really, should our health care options be restricted based on where we hang our hats?
Nice chatting with you.
It’s time to drop this “men competing in women’s sports” issue as if it were the central horror in the current dismantling of our Democracy. We are no longer the “leaders of the free world.” WE HAVE SIDED WITH PUTIN! The US has thrown Ukraine under the bus! What could be worse than that? We need to start there as far as things needing correction. Is there a Democrat that can lead us in this fight? Schumer? Jeffries? I don’t see anyone stepping up to take the lead. A STRONG LEADER is what we desperately need before it is too late.