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Snowstorm doesn't stop Syracuse Women's March

This weekend’s snowstorm did not stop hundreds of people from participating in Syracuse Women’s March Saturday. The diverse group walked from the Everson Museum of Art in downtown to the University United Methodist Church, carrying signs that were critical of President Donald Trump's admiminstration.

Since the first Women’s March two years ago, an historic amount of women have been elected to Congress. But many of those who participated in this weekend’s event, like Mary Patroulis from Manlius, said they still feel uneasy with President Donald Trump in the White House.

“I'm very concerned about rights in this country," Patroulis said. "It’s really important to get out in the streets – not just voting but getting out in the streets and remaining active and resisting.”

The group expressed concerns about threats to women in 2019, like the fate of abortion rights now that the Supreme Court includes two new conservative justices. They also criticized how the Trump administration is handling immigrants – like his push to build a wall along the country’s southern border. That's why Peggy Liuzzi of Syracuse said she is already focusing on 2020.

"We need to focus on a change in government at the top and a new way of looking at America where women are valued, all people are valued, we fight against poverty, we save the environment," Liuzzi said. "This is the America I want to live in."

At the University United Methodist Church, Shadia Tadros, a local immigration lawyer, rallied those gathered to expand their fight for more than just women – but for everyone who is threatened.

“Justice must include everyone," Tadros said. "It cannot be folks that look like you, people that live on your block, that live in your community – it must be justice for all. If one person is allowed to be dehumanized, we all are dehumanized.”

Payne Horning is a reporter and producer, primarily focusing on the city of Oswego and Oswego County. He has a passion for covering local politics and how it impacts the lives of everyday citizens. Originally from Iowa, Horning moved to Muncie, Indiana to study journalism, telecommunications and political science at Ball State University. While there, he worked as a reporter and substitute host at Indiana Public Radio. He also covered the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly for the statewide Indiana Public Broadcasting network.