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Westport Woman Heading To DC March: 'You Have To Get Your Voice Heard'

WESTPORT, Conn. — When it comes to politics, "it's in my blood," said Westport's Melissa Kane. And now the local Democrat is organizing a bus trip to travel to the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday.

Westport's Melissa Kane is helping to organize a group of local residents to go to the  Women’s March on Washington on Saturday.

Westport's Melissa Kane is helping to organize a group of local residents to go to the Women’s March on Washington on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Facebook

Tens of thousands of people from across the country are expected to descend on the nation's capital to take part in the event, which has a goal of championing women’s rights, democracy and justice. 

It was organized partially in response to the inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump on Friday.

“There are 25 women who got together through Facebook shortly after the march was announced. One of our main goals was organizing transportation to D.C.,” Kane said in a phone interview. “We have 80 busses from all over Connecticut going down," with about 300 people going from Westport.

Kane is chairman of the Westport Democratic Town Committee, a member of the Westport Representative Town Meeting, and co-chair of the Downtown Planning Implementation Committee.

Her motive for getting involved was to take a stand against Trump.

“The concept of this march as it was evolving really spoke to me," Kane said. "The day Donald Trump was elected president, I realized that we had to all come together and make sure that we don’t allow the rights of any of us to be taken away.

“I’m a doer, so I got in touch with somebody ... to find out ways I could help."

She has provided information and answered questions about transportation to the D.C. march through word of mouth and social media, including making posts at "Pantsuit Nation of Fairfield County" and “We March On-Connecticut Chapter.”

She also reached people through the Democratic Town Committee mailing list, which is made up of about 600 to 700 people.

At 8:30 a.m. on the day of the march, Kane will be at the Connecticut meet-up spot in Washington, holding up large signs that say “Connecticut Women’s March — Connecticut Chapter” and “Westport Marches for Dignity and Rights For All.”

After the march is over, Kane won't sit back and relax.

“This is just the beginning. Our cause will live on long past the march.”

Kane also said she has a duty to all the Democrats in her town.

"We have municipal elections coming up in 2017. It’s important now more than ever at the state and local level to make sure we are getting people into public office who will fight for us," Kane said.

To make change happen, she urges everyone to get involved in causes they believe in.

“If you are upset about something, you can’t just stand on the sidelines. You have to get your voice heard.  You have to take a position and put yourself out there -- by going to rallies and marches, calling your state representatives and going to Hartford.

“I like to stand up for what I believe in," she said.

For more information on the Women's March on Washington, click here. To find a bus to travel to D.C., click here.

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