I’ve never participated in any kind of an organized march or protest. When my sister in law, a dedicated feminist, asked me to join her and my brother for the Women’s March on Washington, I thought it was an interesting thing to do, so I said, “Of course!” I had no idea what I was getting into.
As the trip was drawing near and I was telling some friends that I was making the journey to join the crowd at our Nation’s capitol, I received several concerned statements about my physical welfare. This year, violence has broken out at many political rallies. So it was no surprise to me to hear these statements from my friends and loved ones.
“Stay away from tight crowds. You could get hurt.”
“Write an ‘In Case of Emergency’ phone number on your arm in case you get arrested or get hurt.”
“Stay away from any area where a car could get to you and run you over.”
Above all, I heard, “Keep your eyes open,” from just about everyone.
I was a little anxious when we got off the bus in D.C., but was ready for the day. As we started to walk closer to the Rally Points and get into the masses of demonstrators, I was instantly overwhelmed by the vastness of the crowd and started to recall all the advice people gave me before I left. I told myself to “Keep your eyes open.”
As we moved with the steady stream of people, I started to read many of the protesters’ signs. Some were protesting Donald Trump in general, but the majority focused on being upset about the misogynistic comments that he had made, both publically and privately, degrading and objectifying women. There were a few pro-choice signs, but most marchers wanted to express that sexual assault against women is NOT OK.
I read signs in support of LGBTQ Americans’ rights. I read signs in support of the rights of Black and Latino Americans. I read signs in support of equal rights for Muslim Americans. And of course, I read many signs focused on equal rights for women.
Many women were joined by their husbands, brothers, fathers and male friends. I also saw children of all ages. The most memorable group I saw was a group of young teenage girls holding signs that said things like, “We stand together,” and “Future Leader.”
While this was a Women’s March, I realized that the day had become a platform for not only women’s voices, but for any American with a voice who has been fighting to be heard. We had all shown up for different reasons, but our unified goal was to demonstrate that we don’t want to see the progress we’ve made in civil rights disappear. We would be heard. We would stand up for one another.
At the end of the day, I sat on the Metro car across from four young girls, maybe between the ages of 18-20, who had participated in the March. They were so excited about being included in this mass of people who were fighting for their bright futures.
In that moment, I hoped that their eyes were as opened as mine were from this experience. I hoped that they too saw that we should love and support one another, no matter our gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. I hoped that they too saw that 500,000 people had gathered in Washington D.C. to express themselves and had successfully exercised their 1st Amendment rights, without a single violent incident or arrest.
I hoped that they would take away love and compassion for our fellow Americans from this monumental day, and that when they returned to their everyday lives and saw discrimination in their communities, that they can find their voices to stand up for one another.
I am so grateful that many of my friends and loved ones had suggested to “keep my eyes open,” because I saw so much love and support at the Women’s March on Washington, which opened my heart up even more.
