Women’s March for the history … and the future

By now I’m sure you’ve heard about The Women’s March. Originally it was to be a march on Washington D.C., but it quickly grew to encompass the world. The goal for the march was to “send a bold message to the Trump’s administration on his first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights”.

Taking place the day after his Inauguration, it managed to dwarf the day’s news about Inaugural Balls and other celebrations.

I didn’t hesitate about joining the March. I took the train into the city. The trains were packed with women, daughters, children and many men. They all wanted to make their voice heard. One man told me that this is his 1st protest march since nearly 50 years when he stood up against the war in Vietnam.

Cindy, Celia (flew in from San Francisco), Annette (flew in from Jackson, WY), Tania with her husband Louis, their children Sofia and Thomas and friends participated. I used my “Press Pass” to bypass and jump ahead of the crowd to capture the scene. Cindy and her friends walked for 5 ½ hours from 44th Street/Lexington – to 42nd – to 5th Avenue – and then up to the Trump Tower.

Most of the time I was in the middle of the crowd. It was amazing and peaceful. Me in the middle of an estimated crowd of 400,000. The NY Police Department never witnessed a crowd of that size…. and so peaceful. The huge turnout far surpassed expectations of 76,000 people.

Being around all those women conducting themselves so well, it confirmed my belief that we need more women in power. I believe the world would be more peaceful. It makes me angry that “we” men think we have the right to dominate women. Each of the women I took pictures of and talked to were just wonderful.

“Me first. America First”. America first without the wonderful diversity? From time to time during my work week, I think “oh my god there are just too many people here”. But then I look around and a smile takes over. I see the strangest people: women, men, all different colors. All those people live somewhere, sleep somewhere, come from somewhere, and have family and friends somewhere. Living here is a great opportunity to explore it all.. and then from time to time go to Switzerland and say hi to the cows on the Alps. Most cows are friendly, but even high up in the Alps there are cows that don’t like your clothes, color or face, and then “you better run”. 😊

Back to the march. Many children carried signs and a lot understood what was written on them. 9 year old Sara ‘s message was bout the planet. She knows more about environmental problems than “some people…”.

There was a very talented all woman’s Drum Corp called Batalá of New York. They wonderful to look at all in red, but their drumming and rhythm was the real attraction. It was very “contagious” and was heard for the whole of the march. Batalá is an All-Women Afro-Brazilian Samba Reggae Percussion Band. If you missed them at the march, check out their web-page and look up for upcoming live events.

 I hope this March is the beginning of a new movement of activism. The more we get out and make our voices heard, whatever your sign might be, the better off we are as a society and a country. For proof of how activism changes lives, check out Julie Scelfo’s book, “The Women Who Made New York”.

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