CRITICAL MASS
‘Women will make America smart again,’ says protester as crowds form on Main Street
Organizers of Saturday’s rally in front of Hamilton City Hall estimate roughly 1,000 people turned out to demonstrate for women’s and human rights and to show solidarity for the Women’s March on Washington, D.C., just a day after Donald Trump’s inauguration. Similar solidarity events took place in cities across Canada and worldwide, making for a powerful display of unity across the globe. For the full story from Hamilton and to see more photos of the local event — including some original costumes and signs — turn to
Donning pink “pussy hats” and holding homemade signs, hundreds of “nasty women,” men and children gathered at Hamilton City Hall on Saturday in a Women’s March replicated around the world to protest America’s new president and fight for women’s rights.
“I can’t believe I have to protest this s--t again,” said Denise Christopherson, CEO of YWCA Hamilton.
“We will not be silent,” she said fiercely into the microphone as the crowd roared.
These peaceful protesters were anything but silent along a foggy Main Street at noon.
“I am blown away by the turnout,” said co-organizer Tanya Ritchie.
“It’s so much more than politics. (Donald) Trump is only the tip of the boil. It’s not like we weren’t aware there’s misogyny or all these other issues.”
They estimated about 1,000 people attended.
“I’d like to think women will make America smart again,” said Hamilton’s Catharine Munn on Saturday, her head covered in big pink foam rollers.
Munn was taking a stab at the stereotypical role of the housewife. She said she’s offended by “sexist” comments Trump has made.
Others mimicked that with signs that said “I won’t go silently back to the ’50s.”
“This is the silver lining,” said Nikki Szczepaniak, 27, pointing at the Hamilton crowd in tears. She was holding a sign that read, “If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention.”
To her, the silver lining is people coming together in the “storm” that will be Trump’s presidency.
Ann Baker said she participated for her two-year-old granddaughter who lives in Seattle.
“I want her to know her grandmother stood up for equality and against hatred,” Baker said.
At the same time Saturday, more than half a million people converged on Washington, D.C., including celebrities like Madonna and Amy Schumer.
At least 30 Hamiltonians made it to D.C. for the march.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Anne Bokma, 54, a local writer and editor. “You don’t quite have a sense of the scope of it when you are in the crowd.”
Bokma described the march as a peaceful, positive celebration.
“So many were thrilled to see our Canadian contingent. We felt so welcome,” she said.
“There is an undercurrent of anger and fear with what will happen under Trump’s administration,” Bokma said. “We left there with hope.” Photos of marches across the world dominated social media on the weekend.
In Toronto, organizers estimated a crowd of more than 50,000 marched to Nathan Phillips Square. More than 200 participated in the St. Catharines walk.
Women’s March organizers listed more than 670 planned REFLECTING: events across Hamilton’s Anne the U.S., Bokma and a across Canada local group went and another to Washington, 70 cities overseas, D.C. to march. including Read about their Paris, Tel journey and see Aviv, Barcelona the photos in and Berlin. Tuesday’s GO.
The Chicago crowd grew to an estimated 250,000.
The Los Angeles Police Department said “well past” 100,000 attended in L.A. but did not provide a more precise number, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election!” U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday in response. “Why didn’t these people vote? Celebs hurt cause badly.”
For Natassja Francis, 21, it was just as much about race as gender equality.
“It’s disgusting a lot of Hamiltonians agree with Trump,” she said outside City Hall. “I hope this brings awareness. We need to look at how this is going to affect people who aren’t white.”
Kate Rozad, 25, from Burlington, stood proudly in front of City Hall with her sign: “A woman’s place is in the resistance.” She said she was motivated to come by some of Trump’s previous comments about women.
“I think anyone who is a woman or cares about a woman in their life should care about their rights,” said her friend, Jordan Cain, 28. “So that’s everyone.”
For Lisa Mulholland a Hamiltonian with dual citizenship, participating was a no-brainer.
“There’s no way I could sit at home and not be here to show my support,” she said, grinning in a “Nasty Woman” T-shirt. “Women’s rights are human rights.”