'A Day Without a Woman' March in Frankfort Withstands Resistance From Pro-Trump Protesters

FRANKFORT, IL - More than 100 people gathered at Breidert Green Park in Frankfort late Wednesday afternoon to hold a rally in honor of “A Day Without a Woman,” an International Women’s Day movement that gained steam this year as a strike to support women’s rights and gender equality.

Organizer Emily Biegel, who describes herself as a Democrat and feminist in mostly Republican Frankfort, said the rally went “really well” despite being met with protesters who showed up to heckle the crowd and voice their support for President Donald Trump.

“Some Trumpsters showed up in their pick-up trucks trying to intimidate us but it didn’t work,” said Biegel, who organized the event on Facebook after she had the idea to do something locally when she attended larger Trump protests in Chicago earlier in the year.

Related: ‘A Day Without a Woman’ Rally Planned for Park in Frankfort

“They had really uncouth signs,” she said, pointing out one that read, “This isn’t the kitchen.”

Another sign referred to the rally-goers as “triggered” and a third man was wearing a green St. Patrick’s Day shirt that read: “Kiss Me I Voted Trump.”

“They followed us a little bit shouting Trump, Trump, Trump, but since we ignored them, they got bored and left,” Biegel said. “All they did is show why we still need to march and fight for women's rights.”

Biegel praised the police, who she says followed the group during the entire march and “even took pictures for us after.” She was also encouraged with the turnout and “by how many people want to take part in the resistance and fighting for women's rights.”

Top photo by Emily Biegel