The day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, scores of marchers gathered in the capital, around the country, and around the world to make a statement for women’s rights in the Women’s March on Washington.
Alarming comments about women made by the President throughout his campaign sparked the marches. These comments struck fear in the heart’s of women and ignited a fire that filled them with strength to fight for their rights.
https://twitter.com/kamymafnas/status/823137159397838848
According to the movement’s official site, the goal of the marches was for the groups targeted during the election— women, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, Muslims, those with disabilities, and those who’ve faced sexual assault— to stand up and “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.”
Love this incredible shot by one of our organizers! 500,000+ activists marched in DC — and millions marched around the world. #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/KhICrnQv3F
— Forward March NY (@ForwardMarchNY) January 22, 2017
While the main march took place in Washington with a turnout too large to estimate, the sister marches throughout the nation and globe in places such as California, New York, Utah, France, Belgium, Germany, Britain, Greece, South Africa, Kenya, and even Antarctica, had an estimated turnout of 4,814,000 marchers according to a headcount on the Women’s March website.
Sisters' March Nairobi. So amazing to see the community to come together #whyIMarch #sistermarch #Inauguration #nairobi #WomensMarch #Kenya pic.twitter.com/XQQ0fCIP4D
— Isaac Stone Simonelli (@i_simonelli) January 21, 2017
Among those millions were many celebrities who showed their support in D.C. and in several sister marches throughout the country. Some of these distinguished celebrities include Scarlett Johansson, Emma Watson, Miley Cyrus, America Ferrera, Gina Rodriguez, Katy Perry, and Alicia Keys, who inspired hope through their inspirational words or merely through their presence.
.@aliciakeys at #WomensMarch: "No hate. No bigotry. No Muslim registry." https://t.co/EsN6DZoonk pic.twitter.com/Wu2yGiCrP5
— Variety (@Variety) January 21, 2017
“President Trump, I did not vote for you. That said, I respect that you are our president-elect and I want to be able to support you. But first I ask that you support me, support my sister, support my mother, support my best friend and all of our girlfriends, support the men and women here today who are anxiously awaiting to see how your next moves may drastically affect their lives,” said Scarlett Johansson.
Emma Watson asks for barricade to be removed so she can greet marchers. This is something you don't see every day. #WomensMarchOnWashington pic.twitter.com/Fq41r1KEOI
— Julian Routh (@julianrouth) January 21, 2017
Many male celebrities showed their support as well, however, the most notable of them was former Secretary of State John Kerry who devoted his first day in 34 years as a private citizen to supporting women at the March.
John Kerry is spending his first day since 1983 as a private citizen at the #WomensMarch
(📸: Brian Snyder / Reuters) pic.twitter.com/vRmCOM4715— Ethan Klapper (@ethanklapper) January 21, 2017
The new president was not as supportive of the March:
Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election! Why didn't these people vote? Celebs hurt cause badly.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2017
However, he expressed in a later tweet that though he does not agree with the cause, he has respect for American’s First Amendment right to peacefully protest.
Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don't always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2017
It is now two days after the March and there is still fighting left to do. There is encouragement to continue speaking out about the issues of women and other minorities while there is still momentum from the March.
Ok. Its the day AFTER the magical global #WomensMarch
So… what now? What will you do today? One act. Big or small. To affirm #WeMatter ?!— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 22, 2017
The #WomensMarch is not the end, rather, this is just the beginning of a movement. We must recommit ourselves to getting involved at home.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 22, 2017
The Women’s March website has already begun a campaign for the first 100 days President Trump will be in office. The campaign, called 10 Actions for the First 100 Days, will have a new goal every 10 days that focuses on speaking out on women’s issues.
The campaign’s first goal has already been announced on the Women’s March twitter page:
Our march forward does not end here. Join us in launching a new campaign: 10 Actions for the first 100 Days https://t.co/kdxDJyAU8i pic.twitter.com/OouHIARogQ
— Women's March (@womensmarch) January 22, 2017
The Women’s March on Washington was a collection of diverse people making a statement that they would not stand for being disrespected disregarded. It united all kinds of different people around the world to fight for a common cause.
Muslim women at the march taught American women how to do a hijab to support Anti-Discrimination. #WomensMarch https://t.co/dbl6BusCzK
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 22, 2017
The babies were pressing the important issues #WomensMarch https://t.co/UiDNgWYZjw
— ⬛🏴Harriet Thugman⬛🏴 (@elsajustelsa) January 22, 2017
It sparked hope, and in some cases outrage, as protests often do. And if the believers in the March’s cause are lucky, it will spark change.
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