Were you there? Were you there in Washington, or Portland, or Chicago, or Pocatello? Were you there in your heart or your imagination? I was there in Portland and I felt you all—all across the country and, indeed, around the world. And that was the great thing—just being there. More than four million people worldwide, 100,000 in Portland, showed up to support women's rights, specifically these, and to denounce the threats the Trump presidency has expressed against these rights.
Ray, daughter Emily, granddaughter Sofia, friends Jeri and Ron, and I boarded a train, already filled with Marchers, into Portland in high spirits!
Three generations of marching women!
We had our signs and Emily and Jeri had knitted their pink hats (not a hat wearer, I colored my hair pink for the occasion).
We blended into the massive crowd near the Portland waterfront. The sky was dark and rainy, but no one seemed to notice and the mood was upbeat and celebratory. News helicopters flew overhead as the crowd cheered and waved.
Soon we were marching, filling the street from edge to edge, chants or singing would arise from the crowd and we would join in. At intersections we could look to our left and our right and see the mass of people, ahead and behind us in the great procession we were in, winding through our city. It looked endless in all directions.
I have read angry messages online, by those who opposed the March, characterizing the participants as "angry feminists", "vulgar", "topless", "profane", "smelly", "tattooed and pierced"... What I saw were passionate young people, families, children, black, brown and white people, grandmothers and grandfathers, tattoos and piercings, disabled people, babies sleeping in strollers, smiles, excitement, humor and fervor. People were exceedingly courteous, looking out for each other, and especially the children, greeting the police with smiles and friendly waves (which, by the way, were returned by the police.) Despite rain and cold feet and crowds, there was a warmth of companionship and the recognition of kindred spirit.
Near the end of our route we passed three little girls, standing together on a curb, gleefully calling out, "Show us what democracy looks like!" And the passing crowd would roar back, "THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!"
I will remember this forever and I hope my granddaughter will too. This video captures some of the spirit of Saturday. It was powerful. This is what democracy looks like. Onward!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Yes, I was there and I completely agree with you. The power of participating in our democracy in this fashion is difficult to over state. Let us keep the momentum going.
ReplyDeleteImpressed! I attended our local march, along with over 20,000 other women, men, children, LGBT, black, white, latino, Muslim, and many others. I haven't done anything like this since I was a teen, and will do it again if necessary.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terry.
I was there in St. Louis.... and it was just as you described... Myself, my partner, my daughter and her two year old son... care and concern for each other, the planet and our country!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for going. I hope this is an ongoing movement.
ReplyDeleteThank you for marching and for sharing this. My daughter marched in DC, and I am so proud of her. She also was in Senator Lee's and Senator Hatch's office yesterday to express concern about the DeVos nomination.
ReplyDeleteI was there with my husband and 23 year old son in Madison. The signs were great and the crowd was enormous (75,000-100,000). It feels almost hopeful to be among like minded people.
ReplyDeleteI was in Los Angeles with my teacher friends and it was so empowering, we've got to keep it up! Love your granddaughters sign too.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't be there, but I knit a hat, and it wss there!
ReplyDeleteLove this. Was there in spirit for sure. The pink hair is great.
ReplyDeleteSofia will remember marching with you long after we are both gone. The energy at even our little march was amazing. We have to keep fighting together. xo
ReplyDeleteI was there in Atlanta. Wish I'd thought of the pink hair.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this wonderful post,it gives me some measure of hope. Julie
ReplyDeleteWe marched in Seattle. Rain was predicted but the sun came out and two bald eagles circled over our heads. What a sight and how appropriate! Rather than just bask in this wonderful "I did something by marching" feeling, I have signed up for monthly contributions to ACLU and Planned Parenthood. There are so many things that we need to guard and can't help all of those causes. These are the ones I chose.
ReplyDeleteI was there too! I was wearing a March Hat, but not the pink one. The size of the crowd, the energy, and the convivial spirit was fabulous. I'm going to the next gay pride march and the black lives matter one as well if I can. I basked, but I too am making contributions - ACLU, PP, Southern Poverty Law Center, One as-yet-undecided environmental group, and the Food Bank. So many contributions are needed, since he appears to be trying to destroy every single thing, but my checkbook only goes so far. I've also become far more active in signing petitions, writing emails, calling representatives. I will NOT say there is good coming of this horrible apocalypse, but perhaps more formerly content people like myself will get off their keisters and do more to keep what we've got.
ReplyDeleteI was there in Cincinnati. Same chant, "Show me what democracy looks like!"
ReplyDeleteI drove down to DC from Alaska for the march. It was inspiring and uplifting and the memory helps me balance the ugliness that continues every day.
ReplyDelete