This Is What Democracy Looks Like
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." ---- Theodore Roosevelt, May 1918
The day after the new president was inaugurated, we marched. We marched all across the country (and the world) to show the new administration that we will not back down in the face of injustice and hate. It was the Women's March, but we marched for so much more. We marched for LGBTQIA rights, gender-based violence, the rights of immigrants and refugees, women's health care, religious freedom and discrimination of Muslims, environmental protection and justice, and to reinforce that black lives matter, and more.
Boarding the metro at the edge of Maryland along with thousands of others on Saturday morning was an energizing beginning to a powerful day. We made friends immediately, in line, sitting in the metro car, in the stairwell sharing "Nasty Woman" stickers, and walking down the streets of DC on the way to the beginning of the march. People were friendly but passionate, angry but peaceful, and saddened yet committed to action. We heard the words of intersectional feminism and the challenge to do more for our sisters and brothers, calling our senators and being heard.
I could feel the energy of those around me, and it was an emotionally exhausting experience. It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many people fighting for justice, willing to travel and be seen for what they believe. What struck me even more were the photos I saw online later that day of the women around the world who marched. This was solidarity and love in action. It is only the beginning.