Locals march on Washington against Trump, for human rights
"I did not realize how big it was -- the amount of people that do not like this presidency," she told the Press-Republican via cellphone.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Stevens traveled with her friend,
"We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health and our families -- recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country," the march's mission reads.
Specifically, the rhetoric of the past election cycle "has insulted, demonized and threatened many of us," it said.
In the spirit of democracy, the Women's March's goal was to "send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world, that women's rights are human rights."
MANY ISSUES
Clinton County Democratic Party Chair
The causes people marched for ran the gamut, Rowden said, and included environmental issues and climate change, women's health and acceptance of people from other countries.
Rowden met a couple people who attended Trump's inauguration Friday who estimated that 10 times the number of people attended the Women's March.
The crowd was so immense, Rowden and her cohorts couldn't even get to the other end of the Lincoln Memorial to listen to the speakers.
"People are just walking around and being kind to each other."
SOLIDARITY
Stevens agreed the march was a great show of solidarity for many causes, including
It appeared as though marches were going on all over, she added, and that organizers gave up on having an orderly direction since
"It's just amazing. People care so much for their country and want to see peace and liberty for everyone and freedom and I just think (Trump's) heading us in the wrong direction."
"But I am hopeful that this can make some changes."
DISMAYED
Abendroth said she is very dismayed and distressed about Trump.
"Every day that passes, he doesn't do anything but make us more concerned about the fate of the country in his hands.
"Whether it's related to health care or war or just having a lack of sense of what is truth. There's just nothing about him that says he is a good leader for our country."
Abendroth admitted that she would have opposed any Republican candidate, but that others would have come with a core of beliefs of what they truly believe and would have been better to work with.
"My takeaway is that many people are inspired to express a different belief about the state of the nation from our new president, and to propose an agenda of social justice for Muslims, for refugees, for women and for solving the problem of climate change."
FIRE IN BELLY
This marks Abendroth's fourth march; the first two were for women's reproductive rights and the other was against war.
"I'm always amazed at the numbers that are here and the peacefulness of it all."
Like Sara, she met up with her own daughter, Emily, who lives in
"It feels wonderful and she's actually enlightened me on some things as well," Abendroth said.
Seeing multi-generational families march "gives you hope and it helps you feel that you can maintain a spirit to continue the fight," she added.
"I think marching is important. It's important to show that this isn't just a fringe group, but after that we have to get out and we have to work at it.
"I think that's the important thing to leave here with the fire in the belly, rejuvenated and re-energized."
SPEAKERS
They recalled some of their favorite signs and chants including "We want a leader, not a creepy tweeter," "This weather is brought to us by climate change," "The only thing that's gotten better since Trump was elected was
Speakers included
What resonated with Reiner from their speeches was "the idea that we should stay united and maintain our solidarity and non-violently pursue justice for all."
Additionally, marchers were encouraged to "hold this new administration accountable to not repeal the rights that we fought so hard to obtain over all these past years."
RAINBOW OF PEOPLE
The women remarked on what a peaceful demonstration the march was.
Rowden pointed out that people of all ages and backgrounds participated in the march.
"There are very, very young kids here with their folks carrying signs," she said. "It's cross-generational.
"There was a group of Muslim women up on our bleacher with their signs for peace.
"It's a cross-section of our country that's represented."
"There were men and women of all colors, all faiths," Stevens said. "So it was just a rainbow of people.
"So hopefully there will be some sunshine at the end of the rainbow."
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