—
If today’s marches are any indication, which they are, we should get ready for four years of non stop protest.
Huge crowd in Chicago for the women’s march. It’s certainly impressive looking from above. pic.twitter.com/mVBDMvnVxU
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) January 21, 2017
The people are speaking with their bodies on the streets.
Today’s march was a Women’s March, but what I saw was so much more. The voice of the people is rising. The voice of the oppressed demographic of the USA is rising higher.
No longer do the protests convey the voice of disconnected messages as was a critique of the Battle for Seattle WTO protests. The voice is solidified now more than ever.
One thing did bother me about today’s march in Portland, OR that I attended.
Granted, it was raining and the weather was not very good, but hearing the crowd chanting over the speakers at the rally, “Let us march,” felt way too much like the silencing of women’s voices to me. Let’s do better next time. Let’s listen to the words of empowerment from the voices who are putting themselves out there center stage.
The rain did not discourage a huge crowd, which at the time of the opening rally was aerially estimated at 100,000. The solid mass of people made their way through the streets to claim a section of downtown. The surrounded coffee shops and cafes were flooded with customers ducking in to grab a drink or food before heading back out into the streets to be part of the rising tide of change that will be sweeping this country.
The mood was high, smiles abounded, and cheerful greetings and courtesy were the watch words of the march as it looped its way around downtown.
An amusing and encouraging sight could be seen at the intersections blocked by the passing march. The police who were holding the intersections for the march all had smiles on their faces, some were observed dancing, and one was caught wearing his pink hat!
When the people are united, they will never be divided.
—
The role of men is changing in the 21st century. Want to keep up?
Get the best stories from The Good Men Project delivered straight to your inbox, here.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
This was my experience too. I went to the San Diego march. It was peaceful, a little carnival like in atmosphere even. A few of the cops wore pink hats, but overall they were really cool. People lined the rails on the cruise ships in the harbor waving, shouting, and carrying supportive signs. People did the same from some of the hotel balconies and high-rises. It was the first time I’ve ever gone to a protest march and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was way late, but it was important to me to be there. I felt it… Read more »