ASTOUNDING: Record-breaking protests occurred worldwide the day after Trump’s inauguration, including in the city of Riverside.
By Marley Brady, Staff Writer
The Women’s March on Washington— often referred to as simply the Women’s March— is an organization that aims to “stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country,” according to their official website. The group is fairly new, beginning just after Donald Trump’s election into office by a beautifully diverse group of women from a myriad of backgrounds. Sister marches to the main event in Washington on January 21, 2017 occurred not only in the U.S. but around the world, spanning all seven continents and garnering roughly three million people in the United States alone. I was one of several thousand individuals who marched in downtown Riverside.
On the morning of January 21, I donned my homemade t-shirt reading “Fight Injustice” and lyrics from Pink Floyd’s “Hey You,” as well as my sign displaying the words from one of artist Shepard Fairey’s new protest posters, “We the People are Greater than Fear,” and set off to march not only for myself, but for my brothers and sisters facing injustice everywhere. I made it downtown just before the march which was set to begin at 10:00 A.M.. We had originally intended for the march to go through the pedestrian walkway of Main Street, but because of the large turnout, the streets surrounding the area had to be closed off by police, so we had to wind through the streets rather than go straight down Main.
As we began marching, people began holding their signs tall and proud, reading things such as “Respect my Existence or Expect my Resistance,” “Corruption Demands Civil Disobedience,” “Hate has no Home Here” and my personal favorite: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing what I cannot accept.” As we made our way toward the Riverside Historical Courthouse, we chanted “The people united will never be defeated!” which turned into “This is what democracy looks like!” which became “Love Trump’s Hate!” The people in areas surrounding the march were incredibly supportive, cheering and honking at us, regardless of the fact that they themselves were not marching.
Once we reached the courthouse, we all crowded around a makeshift stage, where there were several speakers— all women, all non-white, all equally inspiring. Each of them told stories of the injustices they’ve faced as women- and as minority women at that. One even told her story as a queer woman of color, followed by her girlfriend proposing to her. It was truly beautiful. After the speeches were done, everyone mingled with those around them and those that spoke. I got to meet Congressman Mark Takano, which was truly an honor.
Overall, my experience at the Women’s March of Riverside was an overwhelmingly positive one. The day was beautiful; it was moving and inspiring in a way that nothing I’d ever done before was. “The Women’s March was a social and political experience unrivaled. The passion, intensity and community was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Greg Mikol (11), who accompanied me, said. It changed my view on Riverside as a whole, and it showed me that our community is diverse, and splendidly so. And most importantly, it taught me what can happen when people come together for a cause.