USA TODAY International Edition
‘Represent us!’: Women march amid controversy
Third rally copes with its own success, internal squabbles
WASHINGTON – Despite internal power struggles, including accusations of anti-Semitism, thousands of activists braved cold temperatures Saturday at the third Women’s March to show opposition to President Donald Trump, demand an end to violence against women and push for equality.
Protesters also turned out at “sister rallies” in hundreds of other U.S. cities.
While spirits remained high and marchers displayed determination to fight for women’s issues, this year’s march paled in numbers to the hundreds of thousands who roared onto the political scene in 2017 in the capital after Trump’s presidential election.
Nationwide, the 2017 march drew 3.3 million to 5.2 million nationwide – making it likely the largest demonstration in U.S. history. This year’s looked to fall considerably short of that turnout.
Marches were planned across the country, from Boston, to Los Angeles, to Dallas, Houston, Nashville, and in smaller cities including Burlington, Vermont, and Grand Junction, Colorado.
In New York, because of internal disputes among organizers, rival marches turned out, one along Fifth Avenue and the other in Foley Square.
Rallies also were held in nearly a dozen foreign cities, including Berlin, Rome and Kabul, Afghanistan.
Protesters battled harsh winter weather this year but the cold did not dampen the mood as protesters chanted
“this is what democracy looks like” and “women’s rights are human rights.”
Stephanie Helton, 52, attended with her husband, Joe Helton, 53, from Port Huron, Michigan.
“We’ve been worried about the direction of the country for a really long time, the assault on access to healthcare for millions and millions of Americans, the fact that we have a government that focuses on the issues that degrade members of our society and culture,” Helton said. “So, it’s great to be out here. We have lots of friends at home who told us ‘represent us! Represent us!’”
The Bugnitz family flew from Columbus, Ohio, to attend the march after Sadie, 10, Chris and Kristin’s daughter, learned about the march from a teacher.
“It’s really important to our family that girls and boys are all treated equally and we can listen to all voices,” Kristin Bugnitz said.
“A lot of people like Trump are being rude and sexist and trying to make sure that men only have the rights to do stuff,” Oliver Bugnitz, 7, said. “It’s not fair.”
Noe Torres, came to the march with a group from Los Angeles. He wanted to attend to stand with the women in his life.
“Some of the strongest people in my life are the women in my life: my mom, my sister and my girlfriend,” Torres said. “I want to do my part in helping to undo the systemic oppression that’s keeping these amazing people from flourishing and thriving and doing something for this world.”
The movement that galvanized the nation’s capital has shifted from a show of force on the streets and sidewalks, into a mobilizing force at the polls.
As the movement has grown into a political powerhouse, it has also run into headwinds in the form of a splintered leadership and accusations of antiSemitism against some of the original organizers.
In some ways, the movement is a victim of its own successes, the power of women at the ballot box — a direct result of the strong showing in the 2018 midterms that sent a record number of women into politics and into Congress.
However, with growth has come distrust and division.
While Women’s March Inc. has repeatedly denied charges of anti-Semitism, the issue was further inflamed when Mallory, a Women’s March copresident, appeared on ABC’s “The View’’ on Monday and declined to denounce the frequent anti-Semitic statements by Farrakhan, whom she has publicly lauded.
“Women’s March is an organic movement, made of the fierce energy and power of millions of women and those who support them,’’ the statement said. “We’re thrilled to see hundreds of marches sprout up in small towns, suburbs, and cities across America and around the globe. In 2017, we marched. In 2018, we took our power to the polls. In 2019, we’re coming with an agenda created by women and for the people.’’