Participants of the "Women's March on Washington" about the protest
On Saturday, January 21, the campaign "Women's March on Washington" swept the globe: the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump, women and their supporting men came out into the streets, disagreeing with the conservative turn symbolized by the new US president. Protesters advocate for the rights of women and minorities. Marches were held not only in the United States, but also in hundreds of other cities in the world. There were 673 promotions worldwide - more than three million people gathered in US cities alone. The largest march took place in Los Angeles - over 600 thousand people took to the streets; in Washington there were more than 500 thousand participants. These two marches differed not only in size: there were many minority representatives among the protesters. One of the participants, the poetess Aja Monet, read the poem "My mother was a freedom fighter", dedicated to African slaves who fought for freedom - and this was probably the most piercing performance of the entire march.
The women's march was supported by dozens of celebrities: Gloria Stein, Scarlett Johansson, Angela Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, Cher and Madonna performed in the stands in different cities, who sang two songs, the last of which ended with the words: "I'm not your bitch, Donald Trump, suck a dick, don't hang your shit on us! " Along with them, marching women were performing military songs from the Lakota Indian tribe. John Kerry, Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal, Helen Mirren and Miley Cyrus also joined the processions. Besides them, Julianne Moore, Amy Schumer and Amy Poehler, Robert De Niro, Grimes, Lupita Nyong'o, Stephen Colbert, Amber Rose, Patricia Arquette and dozens of others are on the official list of famous supporters of the march. Emma Watson arrived on the march in Washington, Charlize Theron participated in the action at the Sundance Festival, and Ian McKellen joined the demonstration in London.
Worldwide, "women's marches" organized small groups of activists. For many, this was the first such experience, as, for example, for Bob Bland, a designer from Brooklyn, who rose to the stage, holding a newborn daughter in her arms. Bland was not the only one who came to march with the child: all over the world, demonstrations came with children and other relatives. We talked with the participants of the marches, held in different cities: Washington, San Francisco, London, Berlin and Gdansk.
Christine
participant of the march in Washington
I flew to Washington from Zurich, where I live and teach oratory. At home, I actively participate in the women's movement and work with feminist organizations. I participated in the women's strike of 1991 and protested in 1993, seeking the election of the first female minister to the Swiss government.
I was born in 1960, so I could not see Martin Luther King’s famous speech about a dream with my own eyes. When the Berlin Wall collapsed in 1989, I was already working on the radio - but it never occurred to me to go and see it with my own eyes. But now I have been closely following the American election race, despite the fact that I am a citizen of Switzerland, and not the United States. When I watched the second round of the official televised debates between Trump and Clinton - when he walked behind her on the heels of the stage - I felt physically ill. The only moment that gave me any hope was the speech of Michelle Obama. I wondered: why is it so touching me, because I'm even an American. The reason lies deeper: we are talking about the values of women. When I was born, in my country women were valued less than men — after all, the Swiss had the right to vote only in 1970.
I bought a ticket to Washington on November 13, right after the elections, still being in a state of shock and pain at the thought of what this means for women and for the whole world. I did it for my own peace, for my soul. These are my values, my questions, my life, and I must show that I stand in solidarity with the protesters. On this march I made many new acquaintances with my new sisters and brothers. This trip was very successful, it will inspire and support me.
Jane
participant of the march in SAN FRANCISCO
I went to the "women's march" with a large group of friends, and there was a great atmosphere, very peaceful and joyful, even festive. We all felt support and solidarity. Now I know for sure that what is happening threatens not only me. I have always supported the movement for women's rights and I went to a demonstration, because, as it seems to me, now he is in danger. We need to loudly declare that there is no going back, we will not tolerate harassment and disgusting sexism.
I am very concerned about the position of Trump, I believe that it carries a threat to the rights of women. By his actions, he showed that he can do whatever he wants. Ultimately, this may lead to the fact that the decision in the case of Roe v. Wade (the decision of the US Constitutional Court confirming the rights of women to abortion. - Note ed.) will be canceled, and Planned Parenthood (the largest US network of gynecological clinics where you can get free help. - Note ed.) stop funding as Mike Pence wants. By participating in the march, I want to show that I will not be silent and that the congress must think before deciding.
I am very glad that there were so many "female marches" all over the world. I know women who came to the demonstrations in Berlin, Sydney, London, and they also see a threat in the new administration.
Bess
march organizer in london
I work as a teacher of English. I have had the opportunity to participate in protest rallies on the rights of sexual minorities. But those stocks were not as massive. According to police estimates, in London about 100 thousand people came to the demonstration - people stood from Trafalgar Square to Grosvenor Square.
I decided to go ahead with the organization of the "women's march" after Donald Trump won the election. This was the last straw: only after seeing the results, I opened the Internet and began to look for an opportunity to protest. Somehow resist the rhetoric of hatred, the lies that he spread throughout his election campaign. There were a lot of people like me, and we decided to organize our own protest action. Our movement went "from below", and none of us had any experience in organizing marches.
I came to this march with my husband and a company of friends. We ourselves were surprised when we learned how many more people came to our demonstration! It was just incredible to look at them all standing with posters. None of us expected such support. I will never forget this day.
Anna
(name changed at the request of the heroine), a protest in Berlin
I am a US citizen, even though I live for many years in Germany and write here my master's thesis in chemical engineering at the University of Magdeburg. I came to Berlin on purpose to participate in this demonstration.
Now, against the background of the rhetoric that sounded on the eve of the elections, it is very important to remind people that women are equal in rights with men. I did not come here to protest against Donald Trump himself, but to support my mother, who will march today in St. Louis, and her sister, who will march in Chicago. The new administration has not yet managed to change our laws, but the rhetoric of hate has helped them in many ways to win the election. People heard what they say, and still voted for them. This demonstration is our chance to protect our rights until they are taken away.
I believe that the actions of this administration could seriously impair the rights of women in the US - for example, if health care reform is canceled, pregnant women will not be able to get medical insurance. There is a plus in Trump's victory - she brought people to the streets. Citizens will be more careful to follow what is being done in Washington, they will understand that they need to loudly express their opinions in order to be heard. Protest.
Posted by Marek Ryćko on Sunday, January 22, 2017
Alexandra
organizer of protest in GDANSK
I am a teacher of the Polytechnic University of Gdansk and a member of the organization "Feminist Revolutionary Brigade" - FeBRa. A couple of days ago, we organized a demonstration in support of Russian women who are fighting against the decriminalization of beatings. Now we went to a demonstration in solidarity with the American march for women's rights. At our demonstration there were only about fifty people, but we organize a lot of actions to protect the rights of women throughout Poland. On Black Monday, about two thousand people came to the demonstration. But sometimes the amount is not the most important. We believe that women's rights are a universal problem, and we try to support all feminist actions.