On January 21st millions of women across the globe took to the streets to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. The main event, taking place in Washington D.C. sparked many sister marches including one right here in Tallahassee, Florida. I took to the streets of our state capitol to not only march with my fellow nasty women, but to find out who they were and why it was important for them to march right here at home.
1. Pierce Gillette and Emily Greenwood
"I'm marching because I don't feel that the new president respects me or values women. I feel like his administration will put our basic rights in jeopardy. I believe that my rights are threatened, and I think that by marching today we're showing what 50 percent of our population believes in."
2. Kim Lee
"I'm marching because I want the world to know that we all have a voice and democracy really is the voice of the people and we actually have to come out in order to communicate that we do have the right to be able to have the freedom to express what we feel should be equality for all."
3. Sean Casey
"I'm marching to oppose Trump and any policy that will attack reproductive rights. I traveled here from UCF where I volunteer with Planned Parenthood and am as politically active as I can be down in Orlando."
4. Dawn-Marie Parker, Yana Parker, and Donna Parker
"I believe in women's rights and equality. I'm tired of the government trying to control our bodies. I'm here for healthcare rights for all citizens."
5 & 6. Nikita Sibley and Briana Compean
"I'm marching because I am a progressive who opposes Donald Trump's administration and everything that Republicans are doing to try and shut down Planned Parenthood. We all know that no federal money goes toward abortions under the Hyde Amendment. It's bull. I grew up with a single mom, I know the feeling of having a strong female influence, and that's why I'm a feminist."
"I just feel that the people supporting him are very misguided, and they feed into the anti-immigration rhetoric. My family are all immigrants so it hits very close to home for me, and I'm marching on behalf of them."
Ok ladies, we got in formation, now it's time to get information. Stay up to date with your local government. Find out which legislators support what and go from there. Vote them out of office. Vote someone else into office. Get them reelected. Donate to the ACLU, The Trevor Project, and Planned Parenthood. The time for action is now, but also for the next four years.
