ELY – Despite being threatened with the possibility of a barrage of snowballs hurled at them, dozens of Ely-area residents gathered at Whiteside Park at noon on Saturday, joining hundreds of thousands of like-mined people around the United States and the rest of the world, in a demonstration centered around emphasizing and protecting civil rights for all people in a new political atmosphere in Washington, D.C.

The Facebook post (See Page 10), on the heals of a like-minded violence-directed opinion made by an Ely City Council member days after the presidential election victory of Donald Trump, was another indirect attack on those who supported Hillary Clinton.

Henri Jacob, an Ely resident, who indicates in his profile he is employed at a local food market, made the post on his Facebook page targeting the planned demonstration.

The Facebook post was made at 10:17 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20. By Saturday morning, the post had received as many as 18 ‘likes” including from Ely Council member Dan Forsman, who was forced to apologize for sharing a post suggesting Hillary Clinton supporters commit suicide as an alternative to accepting the outcome of the presidential election.

As many as 70 area residents gathered in the pavilion at Whiteside Park Saturday to reinforce the call to action across the country to protect civil rights in jeopardy by the new administration. Some carried signs. Some wore pink hats. A moment of silence was held, and in between calls for support of all people, those gathered sang songs and talked about efforts to push back against discrimination.

They marched in the park through a light drizzle following the rally. The threat of violence against them did not materialize.

“I thought the (Facebook) posting was pretty incoherent but (it) did contain a veiled threat of violence,” said Ely-area resident Nancy Powers. “Certainly it is not the tone one wants to hear after this contentious election. We were merely concerned, not afraid.”

Peta Barrett, a board member of EMPOWER and Ely business owner, said, “The (Facebook) post that this white male local put out there the night before our gathering in the park was petty, nasty, and threatening. It smacked of gloating. Did it dissuade us from gathering in Whiteside Park? Not a chance. This man is just one of those guys who is still seething, after a contentious election, when women have the guts and compassion to speak up, speak out, and take positive action within our American democracy.”

Barrett, who owns Women’s Wilderness Discovery, noted that the demonstration on Saturday was not organized by EMPOWER. “The Ely Sisterhood gathering was certainly supported by members of EMPOWER, but this gathering, this Ely Resistance rally, grew out of a need by a few of us, local women, to do something positive and to be together on Jan. 21, the day after the inauguration. Many women around our nation, and the world, are rightfully depressed and worried sick about the very-likely back-slide of our basic rights, and women’s rights achieved over decades by diligent, hard-fought work for progress. This is a palpable fear and deep concern given the tenor of our new administration.”

Local activist Lynn Evenson, used what she called, “a stew of metaphors and bumper sticker philosophy” in making her call to action to the group gathered in the park pavilion.

“I am hurt but I am not slain,” she said. I have been bleeding since Nov. 8, but now is the time to get up and join the fray.”

She described the grass roots movement in response to the new president’s campaign rhetoric against women, immigrants, minorities and others. “We are underground. We do not seek publicity in the media. We gather through word of mouth. Just like the TEA Party movement. It only takes a few to derail Congress. We are local groups determined to make a difference.”

Barrett said she witnessed “strength, peace and solidarity” at the demonstration. “There was a blend of somber reflection and deep joy to be able to gather together, in a public place, and in light of the anger, hatred, and violent words and actions spawned locally and nationally by the past election. Saturday, Jan. 21 was democracy in action.”

Evenson used as a model the “Indivisible Guide,” an online resource for resisting the Trump agenda (www.indivisibleguide.com). “This is an owner’s manual for how to run a democracy,” she said. “Former congressional staffers reveal best practices for making Congress listen.”

She talked about various issues, such as healthcare and the environment that could be under attack. “You don’t have to do all the work,” she said. “Our priorities will change. The point is to keep pushing and to keep calling your legislators.”

She also stressed the importance of stepping away from the fight. “Take days off. Step away from the TV. Go outside and play. That’s what us outdoor nuts do best to relax,” she said.

Ely resident Carol Orban encouraged those in attendance to consider running for public office. “We need new City Council candidates. If Nolan runs for governor, we need a candidate to go up against (Stewart) Mills,” she said.

When asked what happens next, Barrett said, “Organizing, planning and work, lots and lots of earnest, diligent work every day, week, month, year, by scores of individuals invested in making a difference by contacting, meeting with, communicating clearly, with our elected officials on the local, regional and national level. We will make a difference by making our voices and our concerns for women’s rights, human rights, heard. Again, democracy in action, in peaceful, respectful, healthy debate and discussion. Violence has no place in this process.”