The Women’s March on Washington, which happened on January 21st, 2017, was a march for “any person, regardless of gender or gender identity, who believes women’s rights are human rights.” I sat down with 3rd year Women & Gender Studies and Sociology major Sydney Chapados, who attended the march in Washington, D.C. Here’s her story of the march:
What was the mood/atmosphere like?
Really empowering, hopeful, the mood was so positive and unified. Nothing like being squished by 500,000 other women. It was nice to be in a women’s centred group with my people.
What motivated you to join the cause?
When I first heard about the march… my immediate thought was “this is going to be violent” but then I realized that’s how people feel everyday, but I should get involved to make changes and stand up for what I believe in. Focusing on actually doing things instead of posting on facebook and ranting.
Tell me about the general experience.
There were 56 of us on a bus, everyone was really excited. We were held at the border for 3 hours asking us questions, trying to hold us back. When we got to the march it was overwhelming and everyone was so positive. We had Canada written on us and everyone was coming over and hugging and crying, and it was nice to see all of these people supporting different causes that aren’t just going to lie down and take what’s being put on them. One of the things i found super impressive and empowering was the amount of different causes that were represented. Black lives matter, indigenous women, climate change, planned parenthood, LGBTQ community.
Give me a play by play.
We bussed for 13 hours, we got to the march at 11:30 am, we got right into the rally. It was so packed that we were 2 km away from the stage. Everyone had their signs and was really empowering. We marched to the White House but it was so packed that it took us three hours. Everyone gathered on the White House lawn and left their signs there which was pretty empowering, especially to leave “Love Trumps Hate” signs on the white house lawn. As we were marching people were chanting different things such as “Black Lives Matter” and “This is What Democracy Looks Like”. There were a lot of kids there as well, parents were bringing kids and babies. Mini activists. Its hopeful for the future.
Was it mostly women?
I was really impressed by the amount of men, and it was very hopeful to see these men with signs supporting the women in their lives. We had two men on the bus with us and I was really impressed to see this. A lot of reactions that I received from men, especially at my workplace, didn’t understand the cause so to see all these men supporting was a nice change.
Can you tell me about the speaker that moved you the most?
Ashley Judd read a poem by a 19 year old that was very emotional and highlighted a lot of things that [Donald] Trump has said about women and what he needs to change. Sophie Cruz, aged 7 or 8, got up and said that they shouldn’t let this get to them and that everyone should still have enough love in their hearts to snuggle. Both of her parents are undocumented immigrants. A girl on our bus was blind, and she called us out and told us how we needed to check ourselves and be inclusive. It was a learning experience. Everyone on the bus ride home did a little speech which was empowering as well.