Voices of generations
Thousands of women march in Philadelphia to express concerns
“The people united can never be defeated.”
That was just one of the phrases that rang out Saturday morning as thousands of women, men and families swarmed Logan Circle and spilled out onto Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Women’s March on Philadelphia.
The march was started to send a message to newly inaugurated President Trump and his administration that women’s rights are human rights. The Philadelphia march is one of many sister marches to the National Women’s March on Washington, D.C. Other marches took place Saturday in cities across the U.S. as well as other countries.
“We want to bring attention to the social issues, health care issues, issues that I think have been overlooked in this election cycle by both parties,” said Jennifer Mossholder of Gilbertsville. “It was concerning last night when Trump was trying to dismantle the ACA. So we’re coming out here to show that we’re not taking it.”
Mossholder had attended the event with several members of her family, who shared her views on the matter.
“I’m here for everything really. He can’t take away human rights like this. It’s not OK,” said Ethan Mossholder.
Mossholder’s shared opinions spanned far beyond her own family. Seas of signs pivoted up and down as the sound of drum beats and other music could be heard above the chanting. What started out as a small crowd in the circle evolved into a mass of supporters that, in a matter of hours, filled Benjamin Franklin Parkway and sev- eral blocks surrounding it.
While the Mossholders had health care on their mind for the march, others had their own reasons for making their way to the city on the damp, cloudy Saturday.
“It’s time,” said Emily Dolan of Conshohocken. “I don’t like the hate speech, Music could be heard loud and clear Saturday as participants in the Women’s March on Philadelphia helped lead the march with drums and other instruments. I’m tired of the misogyny. It can’t be recognized as acceptable in big government. We have rights. We have a voice. Women’s rights are human rights.”
Emily attended the event with her wife, Sarah, and her sister, Jen. Sarah added that the march held special meaning for her, particularly in terms of her marriage.
“We waited a while to be married,” said Sarah. “We got married in Connecticut because it wasn’t legal yet in Pennsylvania. So after this election, I was really scared and hopefully that won’t get taken away from us.”
“I’m just hoping it’s going to be a positive event,” said Jen. “That’s what we need more of, the positivity and bringing our voices together to be heard.”
And there was plenty of positivity to go around. Smiles could be seen throughout the crowds as people stopped to read each other’s signs and ask about what brought them to the march. For one attendee, that reason was to provide solidarity for the women who were marching.
“I came here mainly because I’ve seen a lot of worry amongst my friends, amongst people I surround myself with and I’ve seen the harm that the Donald Trump has the potential to cause,” said Aidan Stanton of Collingswood, New Jersey. “I want to make my voice heard and try to help make other people’s voices heard. Honestly, I think we’re all here for the same reasons so I don’t see how my experience is much different from anyone else’s.”
After everyone made their way along the parkway, the masses gathered in front of the art museum for a rally filled with various performances and speakers including March Organizer Emily Cooper Morse, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and Congressional candidate Lindy Li.
“I think people are getting confused that we’re protesting that Trump is president,” added Jennifer Mossholder. “Whether there’s interference with the election process or not he is our elected president and we’re not trying to change that fact here today. We’re trying to draw attention to our issues that we would like our president to address. It’s not a protest about him and his presidency. It’s about what he should do going forward.”