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Marchers took hopes, fears to Washington

The Womens March that occurred in Washington last Saturday quickly became one of the most talked-about activist movements of recent years.

Though an official number still hasnt been released, the most accepted estimate seems to be around 500,000.

Metro officials announced Sunday that Saturday had been the second-busiest day in the history of Washingtons subway system, just behind the 2009 inauguration of President Barack Obama. A total of 1,001,613 Metro entries were recorded on the day of the march.

LESS THAN 24 HOURS after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, Washington was overrun with half a million protesters sporting pink hats and chanting, We will not go away! Welcome to your first day!

For many, the march provided a sense of solidarity and relief, and a release of the tension that has plagued many Americans since Election Day.

Ive been grappling with what I can personally do to express my dissent ever since the election, said Ta Coates, a young photographer from D.C. I think this was an eye opener. Im going to take more photos, be more active, and encourage my friends to be as involved as possible.

Though the event was labeled the Womens March, organizers insisted the movement would give a voice to all causes.

This proved true as women, men and children carried signs demanding equal pay, LGBT equality and health care access. There were signs about climate change, environmental causes and immigration, as well as countless others touching on each significant moment and cause of the past decade.

Countless chants went up among the protesters as they stood in the streets for hours, waiting to march:

No hate, no fear. Immigrants are welcome here!

Show me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!

Black lives matter!

As the women, men and children stood in the streets, waiting for the speakers they were too far away to hear, they sang songs to pass the time. The sounds of America the Beautiful, This Little Light of Mine and Amazing Grace were heard over crowds as people hugged strangers, passed out snacks and made new friends.

IF THE PURPOSE of the march was to make the voices of millions heard, the mission was certainly accomplished. Outside of Washington, millions of protesters around the world stood in solidarity with the Womens March, marching through the streets of Los Angeles, New York, London and Barcelona, and many others, demanding that their voices heard.

Women and men traveled for hours just to be a part of such a historic event. Hillary Hornyak, a young woman from western New York, left for the march Friday night and drove through the night, picking up friends along the way, to arrive at 8 a.m.

This is a part of history you cant miss, she said. Its not often that you get the opportunity to stand up with so many other people that are fighting for the same thing, and actually feel like people are listening.

The rest is here:
'This is what democracy looks like!' - Burlington Times News