I haven’t exactly felt like myself since November 8th. Something feels different. Something feels wrong, uncertain, questionable. I feel like I’ve been cheated out of something pivotal, historic, and revolutionary.
But for the first time in weeks, months even, I feel like there is hope, that we have a path towards a new direction, one filled with unity, respect, and most importantly, equality. And that’s why we marched. That’s why nearly 5 million people worldwide took to their streets to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump and his attacks on women’s rights and women’s causes.
As an American student, I couldn’t contain my joy when I discovered through social media that London was holding a sister march to stand in solidarity across the pond. On the frigid morning of January 21st, that’s why I gathered at the U.S. Embassy in my Pussy-hat (pink and knitted for the occasion) with my coursemates and marched to Trafalgar Square, to stand up and speak out for us “nasty women.”
The atmosphere was electrifying. Without a doubt, the turnout was above and beyond what anyone could have imagined, and the mood reflected every ounce of it. There was no shortage of clever and witty handmade signs and posters. Among my favourites included ‘A woman’s place is in the Resistance’ with images of Princess Leia, ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights’, in addition to a variety of Trump based puns and expletives.
For me, the support and solidarity was at times overwhelming, to be surrounded by so many like-minded and like-spirited people, united together under a common message and theme for equality. I truly felt that London was my home away from home that day, even as 250,000 gathered back in Chicago. Throughout the march, I knew that all of these strangers had my back and I wasn’t alone, to finally feel the encouragement to heal and move forward.
I hope all my fellow marchers felt the way I did, aside from very cold. I hope that they feel inspired and motivated to understand the global importance of this movement, to take part in the Resistance. I know that I am again fired up and ready to go, knowing that in the end, love trumps hate and we are stronger together.