As I reflect on this past weekend I don’t want to forget what I felt in the midst of the historic Women’s March on Washington: hope, unity, power, inspiration, upliftment, enlightenment, strength. Earlier that week DC had felt eerily quiet as I walked along the inaugural parade route in the days ahead of Trump’s swearing in. Let's just say it was a very different vibe from when I covered Obama’s inauguration four years earlier. Near the White House, I saw a group of people holding “Thank you Obama" signs standing opposite another group taunting them, laughing and yelling, telling them to go home. My heart sunk.
A day after Trump’s inauguration...quite the opposite happened, my heart filled with hope as I joined the thousands who marched on Washington in a show of support and solidarity for not just women but for everyone. Here are some moments from the march...
Among the chants that day, “Hands too small, can’t build a wall!” and “Welcome to your first day, we will not go away!” Watch for more…
In the center of the above photo is the White House. Seeing and hearing the swell of thousands at White House gave me chills. President Trump, you are surrounded.
A soldier was helping passerbys take this panorama shot (14th & Independence) from her tank. She could not have been friendlier and was happily taking photos for everyone and with everyone who asked.
A collection of signs from DC's march:
My cousin Leo joined the Oakland march, these are his thoughts and photos:
Oakland March was so needed, it was a great way to show our solidarity and love we believe in for all our communities. I'll remember standing with people fighting for women's rights, immigrant rights, racial justice, medical students defending healthcare, artists, environmental groups, students, the elderly. We are all under attack, and I'll remember that image when anyone of us gets attacked under Trump. Our only power is each other to resist together. It's like the chant I heard that day: SHOW me what America looks like, THIS is what America looks like!
Let us not forget the millions of people who marched not only across the country but the world for our rights. Keep marching, keep fighting. So what's next? I'm seeing several options from running for public office to writing your leaders in Congress. As for me, I don’t consider myself an activist but as a woman who also happens to be an immigrant something was awakened in me. As a result, I want get more involved in women and immigrant issues here in the Bay Area...so I will look into that and report back once I’ve figured out what that looks like!