Montanans have not shied away from making their political and social stances known following November's election and opening of the 65th Montana Legislature.
Carrying signs and speaking out has become a seemingly common sight of peaceful demonstrations, and journalists have been hard at work in Helena covering the various protests, rallies and showings of solidarity.
Here is a recap of Montanans in the streets and at the Capitol making their voices heard.
Organizers of the Women's March on Montana estimated 10,000 people attended the event Saturday outside the state Capitol.
The Helena event was one of many held around the country in conjunction with the Women's March on Washington, a national human rights rally scheduled for the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
The Capitol rotunda played host to a raucous crowd of public land advocates Monday, many who traveled from across the state to denounce land transfer efforts at both the state and federal levels.
Organizers estimated, in-line with Independent Record estimates, that more than 1,000 rallied in Helena. Many carried signs calling for an end to the land transfer movement and the perceived threats of continued public ownership under state control.
Hundreds of protesters who were upset that U.S. Sen. Steve Daines wasn't planning a town hall this week decided to bring one to him instead outside of the Montana Capitol, where Daines was scheduled to address the state Legislature on Tuesday.
Daines rescheduled his appearance for the next day, prompting boos and jeers from the crowd that spilled from the Capitol steps onto the lawn. The demonstration went on, anyway.
More than 150 renewable energy supporters rallied at the state Capitol, voicing support for legislation expanding opportunities for new solar projects they say will bring more jobs and keep Montana from falling behind in a burgeoning industry.
The bill made several changes to energy law around “net metering,” or when solar or other renewable energy generators are connected to the power grid with excess power credited to offset energy costs.
A coalition of anti-abortion organizations held the local rally, which is planned for the same week as when Roe v. Wade was decided. People at the rally began with a prayer, had several speakers and marched around the Capitol with signs that said “pray to end abortion” and “choose life.”
Speakers called on marchers to support foster children, sex education and prenatal care and to volunteer.
About 200 people packed the Capitol Rotunda in support of health care programs on Sunday afternoon. The Save Our Healthcare rally in Helena ran alongside others in Missoula and Bozeman.
Jeff Laszloffy, president and CEO of the Montana Family Foundation, spoke at the rally in favor of bringing more school choice options to the state.
“This is a movement, not a momentum,” he said.
There are 21,000 school choice events happening across the country during National School Choice Week, which has been held during the last week of January since 2011 to bring awareness to public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools and homeschooling.
Last week, Trump signed an order that banned citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries from entering the United States for 90 days and stopped the admission of all refugees for 120 days.
About 50 Helena businesses have signed up for Open to All-Helena, an initiative aimed at increasing the visibility of LGBTQ patrons, employees and their supporters.
Kim Leighton, Pride Foundation regional development organizer, said the reaction to the project is encouraging. Leighton helped organize a rally at Hub Coffee to voice support for the LGBTQ community locally and nationwide.
"We're not going anywhere," Leighton told the crowd packed into the downtown eatery.
Montana’s three votes in the Electoral College went to Republican nominee Donald J. Trump, as expected.
This year's proceeding was different from those in years past, with then-Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch allowing audience members to speak before the electors, two of whom were alternates, filled in their ballots.
Standing in a circle in 20-degree temperatures, earlier in the day about 20 protesters struck a somber tone as they voiced their fears about a Trump administration, including climate change denial and nuclear weapons policy, sexual-assault allegations and foreign business interests.
Amid nationwide demonstrations against the election of Republican President-elect Donald Trump, several Democratic state lawmakers spoke to a solemn crowd of roughly 200 during a peaceful “Rally for Unity” Thursday evening at the steps of the State Capitol.
The grassroots gathering was not associated with any organization and had no official program. One of its planners, Kylie Gursky, said it was held because “we believe we must work together to build communities that ensure safety and dignity for everyone and challenge bigotry and intolerance.”
“In response to the election of Donald Trump, many people are uncertain and fear for themselves and their families,” she said. “We gather to say that we will love and protect our neighbors, to say that we will resist racism, sexism, and Islamophobia.”
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Been to several of these allies...and they've been amazing. Well attended and well spoken people exercising their constitutional right to let their voices be heard. Bravo!
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