Women march globally for rights for everyone
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) was “walking on a cloud” after speaking to thousands at the women’s march in Washington, media reports here stated. Her message: All issues are women’s issues. We will not retreat when being attacked. We will stand up and we will fight.”
California’s newest Democratic senator reflected on Trump’s inauguration speech just the day before, calling it a “dark” message for Americans.”
As the Women’s March on Washington had swelled in support, attracting attention and supporters in the lead-up to Saturday’s demonstrations on January 21, its name has become something of a misnomer. Women traveled from all over the country to be at the D.C. march, including many from across the nation. To them, and all people who were hoping for a different outcome, she expressed hope and the need to fight for equality and justice around the world.
Similar marches have been organized in all 50 states, several U.S. territories and countries around the world. They have tried to express solidarity with the aims of the original march: opposition to President Trump’s agenda, and support of women’s rights and human rights in general. In Sydney, London, New Delhi, and other cities, demonstrators broke out their signs and pink hats before even their compatriots in D.C. could.
While some protests were principally marching to express solidarity with the demonstrators in the U.S., others are directly raising issues of misogyny on a more local level. In New Delhi, protesters carried signs reading “I will go out,” to protest sexual harassment in public spaces.
“I am concerned that we are on a path to appeal to our lesser instincts instead of our better selves,” the first ever Senator of Indian origin, said. She went on to echo something Trump emphasized in his inauguration speech: The people have the power.
“There are thousands and thousands of people here today. And I think everyone should take note, that this is a very powerful voice – they’re activated and they must be taken seriously.”
The senator spent about 45 minutes backstage greeting people before her speech. Along the way she said she ran into someone who was best friends with her mother when they were students at UC Berkeley during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. “This is absolutely personal to me. This is absolutely personal to me.”
“The fight for civil rights will be fought and won with each generation. Whatever gains we make will not be permanent,” she said. “That’s the nature of it, so let’s not be dispirited.… Let’s just get up, pick ourselves up and get out there and fight. Fight for equality, fight for fairness, fight for justice.”