From Los Angeles to Dallas to Washington D.C., there were Women’s Marches taking place all over on Saturday, Jan. 20. These marches were organized to protest not only the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but Trump and his administration’s stance on issues including healthcare, immigration, women’s rights and more. Trump acknowledged the marches with a tweet, per usual: “Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!” He wanted the marches to be in celebration, not despair. Protesters marched around with clever signs and outfits pushing for equality and concerns about sexual harassment. Many men also attended these marches, fighting for fairness as well.
The #MeToo movement was widely recognized at the marches, with guest speakers such as Viola Davis, Natalie Portman and Whoopi Goldberg. These actresses used their platforms to raise awareness of the sexual misconduct happening not only in Hollywood, but all over the world.
Viola Davis issued a powerful statement at the Los Angeles rally.
“I am speaking today not just for the Me-Toos, because I am a Me-Too,” Davis said. “But when I raise my hand, I am aware of all the women who are still in silence. The women who are faceless, the women who don’t have the money and who don’t have the constitution and who don’t have the confidence and who don’t have the images in our media that gives them a sense of self-worth to break their silence that’s rooted in the shame of assault.”
RELATED: Tucson celebrates ‘A Trillion Acts of Love’
The best way to make a change is to make your voice heard. Famous people using their platform in the public eye is a great way to make an impact and keep the subject popular. Communities gathering together is vital to keeping one another strong, especially through hard times. The #MeToo movement has helped many women open up about their horrifying experiences and has given them an opportunity to grow stronger while having support from a large community.
In Tucson on Saturday, there was also a movement to make women’s voices heard; the planning team from last year’s march, which had over 15,000 attendees, planned a candlelight vigil to launch their new movement, A Trillion Acts of Love. It is a simple, yet powerful, way to spread kindness around the community despite the darkness some have been feeling because of our current administration. Attendees were encouraged to bring a candle and share their individual pledge on how they plan to support the community.
— Aly Cantor is studying pre-journalism and information science and eSociety. Follow Daily Wildcat on Twitter
