On Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017, the outskirts of DC stayed calmed and peaceful. DC residents spent the day not downtown, but with each other. You could find them reading the New York Times in Starbucks, drinking lattes, shopping, and eating out. The usual busy bustle was filled with teleworking groups in coffee shops, and conversations that for once, had nothing to do with politics.
Downtown a different story was brewing. Alongside celebrations of the 45th president of the United States, protesters vigilantly emerged. Many stood peacefully with signs in opposition of the new man in charge outside the gates of the inauguration. A few blocks away non-protesters stood in line for free marijuana. In the heart of downtown others decided they would let the city burn. Protesters in black called for violence and terrorized the city with flames to cars and destruction of property. Over 200 arrests were made and videos emerged online of protesters running with police officers spraying tear gas from behind. The rest of of the city stayed silent. It rained.
The next day felt different. By 9am electricity and excitement brewed in the air again. Strangers looked at one another with smiles knowing they were all headed to the same place. Knowing, somehow, that each one supported the other, that they were safe in their city again. They were safe here. And they were going to March on Washington together.
Moms stood with strollers outside the Tenleytown station fashioned in their "pussyhats." Teenagers fastened political buttons to their shirts holding signs preaching equality. Men stood in support with American flag shirts and signs that read "I'm With Her," "This Is What A Feminist Looks Like," and "I Love My Mom."
On January 21, 2017, the Women's March on Washington convened at Independence and 3rd outside the United States' Capitol to a stage where speakers like Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, Ashely Judd, America Ferrea, Alicia Keys, and Madonna, spoke. The march was attended by everyone from Emma Watson to Chrissy Teigen, with representatives like Cory Booker, and even Former Secretary of State John Kerry stopping by. Women and allies from all over the country and from all corners of the world traveled to partake.
By time the rally had finished the organizers informed the crowd that there were too many people to march. The originally estimated 200,000 women had quickly become 500,000 women and allies who turned-out to march. The crowd marched anyway.
People stood in trees and on top on street lights to advise the crowd "walk that way!" The crowd was full of energy and took the streets marching down Jefferson, turning down Pennsylvania Ave. and heading to the White House. For a few hours, half a million people marched on Washington in an act of solidarity and love with 0 arrests made.
But despite the overwhelming amount of coverage, many don't know what the Women's March on Washington means, why it was necessary, or why it was important. But no longer can we pretend that this country and administration isn't facing unprecedented conflicts and consequences that are yet to be seen. These are just facts as stated by academics, historians, past government officials, and ethics offices. Ignoring those facts will do us no good.
No longer can we blame the liberal elites, or coastal bubbles, or fake news. No longer can we acknowledge the white working class without also acknowledging other marginalized groups facing similar difficulties. These problems are real and shallow excuses without fact, logic, reason, or history behind them can no longer be tolerated or accepted as truth.
The 500,000 people who marched on Washington to bring attention to these facts were not the only ones. Marches happened all over the United States and with 2.9 million allies in attendance it is the biggest protest in U.S. history, period. This event was international with sister marches in 60 countries on every. single. continent.
It's time to stop calling protesters "snowflakes" and "whiners" and start listening.
America's democracy is falling apart - not everyone is willing to admit, acknowledge, or accept that, but the rest of the world is. This problem is not regional, it's not national, it is international, and it's not going away.
It is in everyone's best interest to take action.
Why?
Because research shows time an time again that nations who empower women and girls are better off, simple. Because democracy only works if the people participate, simple.
The Women's March on Washington was not a demonstration of liberals versus conservatives, or democrats versus republicans, or even Trump supporters versus the world. The Women's March was a demonstration of what it means to live in a democracy and what is at stake if we don't take the time or initiative to criticize the words and actions that are a threat to our democracy and those it's meant to serve.
Many Trump supporters did not see the Women's March in this way, however, being in support of a president does not obligate you to be in full support of everything he says or does, it doesn't not mean you shouldn't stand and protect others who are not as privileged under his administration. It doesn't excuse you from the political process. Voting is the not the end of being politically engaged.
Now is not the time to "stop complaining" or "give Trump a chance." Governments don't work that way, they never have, and they never will. Governments are for the people, by consent of the people, and if the people aren't happy they will speak. That's what we've been doing for generations and yesterday was no different, today is no different, and tomorrow will be no different either.
We will not pretend that President Obama never faced protests, he did, and this new administration will too. Democracies in which the people have no voice are dictatorships.
It's time now more than ever to speak up.
Democracy has to be fought for, and history shows us what will happen if we don't.
