Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  As about 150,000 people joined in the Second Annual Women’s March in Denver, about a dozen

people showed up at the Nederland Town Hall on Saturday to show support for the world-wide event.

About 20 Ned residents hopped on the bus to attend the march in the city.

Noon on a Saturday in winter is usually packed with ski traffic, people coming to play in the mountains, a good time to hold up a sign and spread the word.

Betsy Massa held up her Women’s Rights sign and said, “I was going to go to the march in Denver but then I saw there was a march happening here and wanted to join in. We believe in this movement. It is important.”

Nederland Mayor Kris Larsen greeted the marchers and then got out a ballot form, asking for signatures to support his re-running for mayor in the April election. Although he is also running for congress, he wants to continue his job as mayor. If elected to congress, he will help transition a new mayor to the town.

When the whole group assembled, they moved to the roundabout intersection where they held their signs high and waved at cars. Mayor Larsen said that about 2.4 million cars went through the traffic circle in one year, two years ago. He states that’s why there is a need for the sales tax increase; to repair and upgrade local roads.

Many of the people traveling through the roundabout were in excess of the speed limit. “Another BMW going too fast,” said one marcher. Waving, the marchers tried to slow them down. They were awarded with a couple of extended fingers and some dirty looks. Some people just looked straight ahead and drove through.

The majority of drivers and passengers honked their horns in support or gave a thumbs up or looked at the marchers with big supportive grins.

Massa said, “My fear is that we are going back to the ’50s, with no birth control.”

Last year, 2017, may go down in history as the year women raised their voices to stop sexual and verbal harassment in the workplace. Their voices gained power as they named names and called out the men who have been using their power to instill intimidation in their employees.

Corporate heads and Hollywood celebrities have been shamed in the spotlight and the March for Women was huge, as the Golden Globe Award ceremonies participants dressed only in black, fancy black, granted, but a symbol of solidarity in the movement.

As one driver gave the Nederland group a sour look, one of the marchers yelled, “What is wrong with you?” That is the question.

Denver marchers told reporters that this was the front line in the fight for social justice, human rights and hopes to become a force to be reckoned with. All ages, races and genders gathered in Civic Center Park as Denver Mayor Michael Hancock spoke to the crowd.

“Men of quality don’t fear equality,” he said. He also thanked president Trump for turning his children into activists.

“I am honored to do this with you, to march with you today. We march for our sisters, mothers, grandmothers and yes, for our sons. We march for the underserved and for justice for all, for human rights and equal rights. We also march for those who marched before us, so we have the right to march today, and we thank them.”

The Women’s March coincided with Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 of last year.