Started last year, the day after Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, the Women’s March has swept across the United States and around the world. Started by Teresa Shook, a Hawaiian resident, the Women’s March took place in resistance to the injustices in today’s society as well as spreading lesser-known or cared-about issues.
This year, the Women’s March took place in Downtown Los Angeles on January 20th. Pershing Square was filled with lively people fighting for what they believe in, sometimes aided by moving signs held high above their heads.
Representing GHS, the Feminism Club went to accompany other activists, in order to show support for different minorities. The biggest minority represented was namely women, but LGBT+, people of color, those with disabilities, among many others were also supported in the march.
“My favorite thing about the march was the gathering of friendly, like-minded people all coming together for a good cause,” commented Kole Carnegie. “It was so inspiring to see everyone who was there.”
Eloquent speakers told their stories or spoke on issues they cared about. Scarlett Johansson, for example, shed light on the unbearable situation in Hollywood regarding sexual assault against many actresses. She indirectly addressed (presumably) James Franco, who publicly supported the #TimesUp and #MeToo movement, but yet he went on to “privately [prey] on people who have no power.”
Viola Davis, another amazing speaker, also talked about sexual assault and wanted to express that people should their voice to help those who can do nothing but remain silent: “every single day your job as an American citizen, is not just to fight for your rights; it’s to fight for the rights of every individual who is taking a breath.”
Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, demonstrated the city’s support of environmental consciousness after Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. He also stated his support for immigrants of Latin American countries and contributed reassuring remarks to many Angelenos attending the parade. Additionally, Rob Reiner, the director of many Oscar-nominated movies, attributed women to “have given us [men] the power.”
At this point in its history, America has seen too much discrimination against minorities to not push reform to fully support every person in society. In particular, rape culture targeting women, although it does sometimes target men, has gone on for far too long. In these cases, victims are blamed for acts committed against them.
The wage gap was another important issue discussed at the march. Women often get paid less than men, which although differs according to location of employment as well as the employers themselves, remains prevalent among many underpaid workers.
With approximately 700,000 people attending the L.A. March alone, it is fairly obvious that the government should make a change within itself to properly satisfy the needs of the majority. Often stereotyped as crazy or violent, the feminists peacefully assembled at the Women’s March showed otherwise, exhibiting their validated struggles in a clearly strong, but most importantly, unified voice.
