Women on the march

Re: Women refuse to go back to the ‘ bad old days,’ Jan. 23

The women’s march will be recorded in history as an iconic event celebrating the preservation of freedom, respect and justice for all.

However, where were these women’s voices when women and children were being massacred in Syria or Rwanda; where were the voices objecting to societies that legislate women as chattels for men allowing them to be raped, stoned, and murdered for “honour;” where were these feminist voices when bombs were dropping on women and children in Sderot, Israel.

I fear many of the outspoken voices were self- serving hypocrites who yearned for the sound of their own voices and not for freedom, respect and justice for all. Lawrence B. Cohen, Toronto

While the 600 Canadians who marched to protest President Trump’s inauguration is of interest and perhaps surprising, the real story is how many millions of women everywhere, but in particular the U.S., were involved.

“Politics as usual” has suffered a sudden and dramatic death. Poor voting turnouts, and a lack of involvement by citizenry in the world’s largest democracy had long been the order of the day, but no longer.

While Trump has been blamed for many things, in an unintended way he must now be given at least backhanded credit for finally waking up the American electorate. Politics is about participation and without it, America cannot “be great again.” With citizens standing up to be counted once again, perhaps Trump’s rallying cry will become a reality. Ron Hoffman, Toronto