By: Brianna Metsger ’19, Staff Writer
“Welcome to your first day; we will not go away,” protesters chanted while marching side by side in the nation’s capital to oppose President Donald Trump’s proposed policies and rhetoric.
A sea of pink hats and plenty of signs filled the original march route past capacity on Saturday, Jan. 21. Thirty LVC students attended the march in solidarity against the new administration in the White House. The purpose of the march and rally was to unify people to stand together to defend the rights of all marginalized humans.
The Women’s March on Washington now holds the title of the largest protest in American history. Professional crowd scientists have estimated that the official march in Washington, D.C., and its sister marches around the world attracted nearly two million people. The march in D.C. alone consisted of more than 500,000 participants, an estimated three times more people than at the inauguration the day before.
It is unclear whether the march was a protest or a simple demonstration; however, the mission and vision of the march, which is posted on the march’s official website, suggests, “the Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights.”
LaElla Dickerson, a sophomore criminal justice major, marched because she feels that things have gotten out of control.
“This [march] was to show that you can’t [take away our rights],” Dickerson said. “That’s not okay. We’re not going down without a fight. You can try to ignore us, but we are the American people and you can’t ignore us.”
Tamara Baldwin, a junior sociology major, believes this march was not just a moment but a budding feminist movement with the goal of equality.
“We were not in unison all standing for one cause, but I do think that it’s extremely important to note that the march probably would not have happened if Donald Trump was not the president and he hadn’t posed a threat of taking away rights,” Baldwin said. “My favorite thing [about the march] was the attempt at being so inclusive. We usually forget about women of color; we forget about these women that don’t fit the feminine stereotype. I think we’re nearing a place where more voices are being heard.”
Baldwin is also president of the Black Student Union, president of Feminist Collective and the Women’s Services and Gender Resource Center house leader. She encourages anyone who feels alone to reach out to someone to be a support network. For more information on how to get involved in activism or have your voice heard, please email Tamara at tmb004@lvc.edu.
The official Women’s March website encourages people to stay active and updated on the political status of America. A new campaign has been launched to encourage people to take actions on important issues facing our country. To get involved in this campaign, please visit womensmarch.com.
“This wasn’t just a moment; this is a movement,” Baldwin said. “This isn’t the end; there is much more.”
bem004@lvc.edu