Local events show resistance to Trump swearing-in

As creative writing instructor Marianne Taylor read words from Allen Ginsberg's 'America' on stage Sunday at Coe College, on the same day — and at the same time, in some cases — dozens of other authors across the nation joined her in their own readings for a 'Writers Resist' movement making a statement about the presidential inauguration.

With President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration coming Friday, activists across Iowa are participating in a handful of related events — most of which strike opposition to the incoming administration.

But several Republican groups also are hosting events on Inauguration Day — including the Polk County Republicans of Iowa, which are holding an open house.

From last weekend's reading by Taylor, an instructor at Kirkwood Community College, to a 'Last Night in America' at The Mill restaurant Thursday in Iowa City to Inauguration Day marches, organizers and participants are using words like 'fight' and 'resist' to describe their goals.

'We are doing it the night before the inauguration as an opportunity to raise money in the face of the encroaching authoritarian regime,' said Megan Gogerty, a comedian, playwright and University of Iowa theater arts lecturer co-hosting The Mill event.

The event is set up as a sort of jocular fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa.

Gogerty described the order of events for the evening as a 'completely ramshackle' floating compilation of acts aimed at reminding everyone in attendance, 'We are not alone.'

By Monday, about 600 people had expressed interest on Facebook.

Although the ACLU is the designated benefactor for the event, which encourages $10 donations, the group didn't help organize it.

'It's a terrific effort and very much appreciated,' ACLU communications director Veronica Fowler said. 'But the opinions expressed will be their own.'

Since the November election, Fowler said her organization has seen an outpouring of support in donations and new memberships. She said the organization is using the resources to 'gear up' for potential court battles over issues like civil rights and free speech.

The ACLU of Iowa is among the sponsors for a women's march on the Iowa Capitol and a 'Decorah Women's March on Washington, Driftless Style' on Saturday.

In Coralville, another group of Eastern Iowa artists has organized an Inauguration Day reading of 'Richard III,' a William Shakespeare play depicting the rise and short reign of King Richard III of England. That event, also to raise money for the ACLU, is planned for 6:30 p.m. Friday in Coralville's North Ridge Pavilion.

Iowa City's Emma Goldman Clinic — a nonprofit organization that provides women's services including reproductive health care, abortion and gynecology services — is holding its annual 'Choice Event' on Inauguration Day.

The event also is near the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973 that legalized abortion.

'We knew it would be a momentous occasion' regardless of who won the presidency, said Gemma de Choisy, a member of the Emma Goldman board of directors, explaining that the clinic scheduled the event before the election.

The event's keynote speaker is feminist writer Lindy West.

The Last Night in America event --

https://www.facebook.com/events/1830491677229577/ The Women's March on the Capitol --

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-march-iowa-sister-march-rally-iowa-state-capitol-tickets-29938261145 The Decorah's Women's March --

https://www.facebook.com/events/249417175482535/ The Richard III reading --

https://taramcgovern.com/2016/12/21/riii/ The Writers' Resist --

https://www.facebook.com/events/370739206607568/ The ACLU of Iowa --

https://www.aclu-ia.org/en The Inauguration Day open house for Republicans in Polk County --

https://www.facebook.com/events/1828700624078001/  

l Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com