Women’s marches push power of midterm votes
Activists take to the streets for Women’s March
A year after the Women’s March that swelled the streets of Washington and cities worldwide, activists reconvened Saturday in the nation’s capital and around the country with new determination to flex their power in the voting booth and on the ballot. A related march in Phoenix is planned for today.
WASHINGTON – A year after the Women’s March that swelled cities worldwide, activists reconvened Saturday in the nation’s capital and around the country with new determination to flex their power in the voting booth and on the ballot.
The gatherings came on the anniversary of the inauguration of President Trump, whose election in many ways was the movement’s impetus.
In a tweet, Trump cast the march as a celebration of the economy, saying the nation’s spurt of good weather was “a perfect day for all Women to March.” He called on women to “get out there now to celebrate” unprecedented economic success and low female unemployment.
Hundreds of rallies were held Saturday across the country, including Oklahoma City; Logan, Utah; Ashe-
ville, N.C.; Chicago; Seattle; Dallas; Los Angeles; and Houston, as well as global counterparts in Beijing, Buenos Aires, Nairobi and Rome. Other large events were planned for Sunday.
In Washington, the rally began in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Even organizers were not expecting the huge crowds that swarmed the capital and other cities in 2017. They said the goal was to solidify the movement and use that clout in 2018 elections. In Virginia’s statewide races last year, women turned out in huge numbers at the polls and on the ballots as Democrats made expected gains in state legislative races.
“The unifying theme of the movement is: When we vote, we win,” movement organizers in Virginia said on their website.
Judy McLean, 73, of Bethesda, Md., who came to the march last year, said this year’s gathering was more subdued with a sense of resolution replacing last year’s anger.
McLean held a sign that read “Norwegian Americans for DACA,” a reference to Trump’s remark last week that he’d rather have immigrants from Norway than Africa and some Latin American countries.
Brianna Gallina, 22, from Holtsville, N.Y., attended the NYC march with her younger sister. Gallina said her schedule didn’t allow her to march last year, but this year she vowed not to miss it.
Before she left, her father, who voted for Trump, asked her why it was so important she march.
“It’s because I want equality,” she said. “This isn’t about women or fascism or whatever else you want to blow this into. This is about equality.”