Kootenai County Women’s March is organizing a march in support of Proposition 1 on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. beginning at Independence Point in Coeur d’Alene. 

Founded in 2020, Kootenai County Women’s March is a grassroots organization advocating for women’s rights, reproductive freedom, and bodily autonomy. This is the organization’s first march dedicated specifically to Proposition 1, which would repeal Idaho’s abortion ban. 

“The reason why we’re having this march is not because we think it can tip the scale for Prop 1,” said lead organizer Laura Tenneson. “The reason is because of the amount of opposition we have seen here in North Idaho, and we want our community members to know that there is a large group here that supports women.”

Tenneson said she expects a turnout of at least 50 people and would not be surprised if over 100 shows up. She said the event posting on Facebook received twice as many responses in half as many days compared to previous events. 

According to Tenneson, Kootenai County Women’s March has been actively working to counter-act misinformation and assumptions around Prop 1.

“What Prop 1 is trying to pass is nearly the exact same law we had in Idaho for over 50 years, prior to the Dobb’s decision,” Tenneson said. 

Prop 1 is an important issue to her, she said, because she grew up in a conservative, Evangelical home. She said she changed her mind regarding abortion after listening to the experiences of women and medical practitioners.

“I cannot stand idly by and watch while women in Idaho are harmed because people were misled by their church.” Tenneson said. “I used to believe what I was told by my church too.”

To learn about Prop 1 and other initiatives on the Nov. 3 ballot, visit acluidaho.org.