Thousands of people gathered in cold, snowy weather for a day of joyful resistance known as the People’s March in Washington D.C., just two days before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
The People’s March, formerly known as the Women’s March, began eight years ago after President Trump’s first inauguration. Millions of women, outraged over Trump’s 2016 presidential win, rallied in Washington D.C. and in cities across the U.S. to protest the administration’s policies which they believed threatened reproductive and women’s rights.
This year, the march represented a coalition of communities dedicated to advancing civil rights, social and racial justice and reproductive rights, as Trump returns to the Oval Office.
On Jan. 18, chants and cheers roared once more throughout the streets of D.C. as protestors marched to the Lincoln Memorial. It was an icy Saturday morning; still, three large groups of protesters who started at different areas marched in unity to the music-filled Lincoln Memorial, ready to participate in the rally and People’s Fair.
The Nubian Message attended the People’s March in Washington D.C. to hear thousands express their support for women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights. Out of the three possible kickoff locations, we chose Franklin Park, which focused on reproductive rights, gender and LGBTQIA+ issues.
Bombshell Monroe and Silver Ware Sidora, two drag queens based in D.C., were the ‘spokesqueens’ for the Franklin Park location. They took the stage with power and kicked off the march in style.
“I’ll see you guys at the front of the line!” said Monroe as she wrapped up the introduction.
Jade Pierce, a participant in the march, shared what motivated her to come out and support the cause.
“I feel like, as a woman, it’s my duty to stand up,” Pierce said, “Recently, it’s [the government’s] been really intrusive against our bodies and our rights.”
Trump proudly takes responsibility for the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. It granted states the right to ban abortion for the first time in 50 years. During his first term, he chose three new Supreme Court Justices whose votes ultimately helped overturn the case.
With the inauguration a few days ahead, Pierce described the March as a way for everyone to join together in harmony.
“I think it’s just great to see mobilization in a time that seems like doom and gloom; I’m glad to see people still have hope,” said Pierce.
When asked about Trump’s return to office, Jessica McKinely, another participant in the march, shared that her biggest worry is the future of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“LGBT, the pride community, same-sex marriage, anything can happen at this point,” said McKinley.
On Trump’s Inauguration Day, he signed executive orders that put the LGBTQIA+ community at risk. The executive order states that the U.S. government will recognize two genders, male and female.
“This is what democracy looks like,” echoed through the crowd as people marched, showing off their colorful signs.
Another march participant, Sophie E., who declined to reveal her last name, said, “The Black Lives Matter movement is really important right now with everything you hear going around in D.C. and people not being held accountable.”
On Jan. 21, Trump ordered a paid leave for all federal diversity, equity and inclusion staff by Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. Diversity, equity and inclusion programs advocate for equal treatment at work, especially for marginalized groups.
Another important issue that E. brought up was climate change,“With the LA fires, climate change is a really big one as well.”
With the raging wildfires running rampant in Southern California, climate change is getting exponentially worse. Global warming affected about a quarter of the prolonged droughts in Los Angeles that contributed to the wildfires, according to a group of UCLA climate scientists.
The Trump administration has long rejected the scientific evidence of global warming, establishing harmful environmental policies. Trump repeatedly stated, “drill baby, drill” throughout his presidential campaign, wanting to bring a surge in fracking during his second term. A surge in fracking would cause climate problems like air pollution and water contamination.
Later on, Sarah Rushton, a participant in the march, expressed her frustration with the election. “I don’t like the fact that people elected a felon as President,” said Rushton. “It’s been so many years of people fighting for abortion rights and I hope in the future, we can fight for what’s right.”
As Bombshell Monroe would say,
“ex-ac-a-ly!”
