Violence! Fighting! Rock-throwing! Vandalism! Fires! These are common events at marches and protests. There were 470,000 or so people in the Women’s March in DC (and many, many more in other cities, including my home town of San Jose, CA). And what did they do? The raised their voices to express their demands for justice, peace, and equality in our country. Women carried signs related to a multitude of social justice issues and expressed their displeasure with a President who has promised (and has already started) to set policies that they see as perpetuating social INjustice. They sang and chanted, gave and listened to speeches, discussed issues with those around them, became more and more determined.
They did not riot. Or destroy property. Or attack each other.
My daughter and granddaughter attended. My apolitical granddaughter decided that giving up a planned snow trip and enduring the several-hour bus ride from their New Jersey home to DC was worth it, that this was an historical and meaningful event she wanted to participate in. My daughter, more political, agreed, and off they went. See pictures below.
There are several lessons here. First, women united can light a fire that makes a difference. Second, the next generation of adults care about the human family. Third, protests can be peaceful, and they should be if participants are to be taken seriously.
I’m proud of my family’s involvement and of all the 470,000 people in DC and all the others who showed up and spoke up.
