2018 Mid-Missouri Solidarity March and Rally
To all those who attended the Mid-Missouri Solidarity March and Rally, and all 1,644 participants in the march, we wish to express our sincerest heartfelt gratitude. Without all of you, from the dedicated volunteers, peacekeepers, and speakers, none of this would have been possible.
Event Overview
On January 20, 2018, the people of Mid-Missouri came together to mark one year of solidarity in the face of the current administration’s repression and division. 1,644 marchers came together in downtown Columbia for a rally chaired by leaders of progressive groups from the area.
To start the event, music was performed by Violet and the Undercurrents, then the first two speakers, Michela Skelton and Nikki McGruder, spoke. They were followed by the march through downtown Columbia, which started and ended in front of Boone County Court House. After the march, the rally reconvened in front of the Boone County Government Building, where Robin Blake, Dr. Rose Marie Muzika, Brian Terrell, and Valier Berta-Torales spoke. The event ended with Violet and the Undercurrents playing “Zombie” by the Cranberries in tribute to Dolores O’Riordan.
Slideshows, Photos, and More
Timelapse Video
Pat Holt, a Columbia-based activist, videographer, and inspiration, created a video tribute to the event, set to “Flashlight” by Violet Vonder Haar.
If you like the video above, you can find more of Pat’s work on her YouTube channel.
Photography Montage
Kim Wade, a Columbia photographer, small business owner, and concerned citizen, put together a compilation of some of her favorite photos from the event. You can see her video montage, set to Violet Vonder Haar’s “Speak Your Truth to Power,” below.
If you like what you see, you can view more of her work in wedding, portrait and commercial photography on her business’ website.
Press Coverage
The Mid-Missouri Solidarity March and Rally was covered by multiple local news outlets. We have compiled their coverage below.
The Columbia Tribune offered a concise overview of the rally, focused on the scope and variety of the organizations involved in the event, as well as the ways they want to further the cause of progress through the event. You can read the Tribune’s coverage here.
The Missourian’s coverage of the march featured a wide range quotes from event attendees, ranging from spectator to speaker quotes. You can read their coverage, which, in addition to the quotes, featured a great overview of the event, here.
Rebecca Shaw, one of the leaders of CoMo for Progress, was frequently quoted, offering excellent quotes in KOMU’s coverage of the event. She talked about how the rally was about far more than one day: it was about rallying energy to carry into the midterms. You can read all of KOMU’s coverage here.
Organizations
The Mid-Missouri Solidarity March and Rally would not have been possible without all the incredible organizations who co-sponsored the event. Below is a list, sorted alphabetically, of all the organizations who got involved. If any of them sound of interest to you, we have hyperlinked to additional information about each group whenever possible.