Thousands join women's march in Downtown Sioux Falls

Downtown Sioux Falls was flooded with colorful signs and spirited speeches as thousands of South Dakotans joined a national movement in the wake of President Donald Trump's inauguration.

The Saturday morning Women's March in Sioux Falls, prompted by the Women's March on Washington, was a rally for women's rights and other civil issues some fear may come under fire during Trump's presidency.

The peaceful march garnered more attention than organizers expected. About 3,300 were estimated to have marched from Calvary Episcopal Cathedral to City Hall, with a pause at the federal courthouse for a few speeches from active women in the community.

"I feel amazing," said co-organizer of the march Kelly Sullivan. "We're here to stand in solidarity, to bring our community together."

Children bundled up to battle the 30-degree temperatures to join their parents at the march. Men and women of all ages carried flags and signs with varying messages, such as "Love trumps hate", "Who run the world? (girls)", "Mighty is her roar" and "Say no to hate. Say yes to pancakes."

"I'm here to stand in solidarity with all these great people out here for women's rights," said Deitrich Thompson, 26, of Sioux Falls.

Thompson wasn't surprised he was one of numerous men in the crowd.

"I think it all comes down to equality," he said. "We all (should) stand together for the disenfranchised people in our country."

It was a family affair for the Ridgway women. Becky Ridgway, of Yankton, joined her daughters Samantha and Shannon, in sporting condom earrings to support reproductive rights.

"Women's rights have been fought for so hard over the years," Becky Ridgway said. "I needed to come today to be with the other women of the world."

The group took time in front of the federal courthouse and City Hall for a few speeches about women's healthcare and other civil issues in and around the state. Paula Hawks, former Democratic challenger for Rep. Kristi Noem's spot in Congress, encouraged marchers to vote and rally around women to run for office.

Sights and sounds: Women's March in Sioux Falls

Khadija Wali, who has lived in Sioux Falls for 20 years, cheered and chanted with every speaker Saturday morning.

"Women are your mothers, sisters, friends," she said. "We need to come together."

March organizers encouraged marchers to obey traffic laws and had people stationed at crosswalks to keep everyone on the sidewalks. Sioux Falls Police helped block traffic at a few of the intersections. The protest remained peaceful and the crowd dispersed by noon.

The march represents one of the largest demonstrations in Sioux Falls in recent memory.

In 2009, a tax day rally organized in opposition to President Barack Obama’s stimulus package and federal intervention drew between 3,000 and 4,000 people to Covell Lake.