Photo: Protesters carry signs./Source: Nelson Santana.
By Nelson Santana
January 21, 2018
A year after the historic Women’s March where millions of people participated as a rebuttal to President Donald Trump’s inauguration, this past weekend, women, girls, men, boys, feminist and progressive organizations banded together to participate in the second Women’s March. Similar to last year, this year’s march was a more renouncing protest against the president, whose demeanor, political views, and policies are incongruous with the majority of people who live in the United States.
Fed up and tired, in New York, a diverse group of New Yorkers and allies from other states and countries marched in unison to denounce the repressive and racist policies and stance of the Trump administration and supporters, amid the current government shutdown. Columbus Circle was particularly crowded, due to its close proximity to Trump International Hotel & Tower. The march started on 72nd Street and Central Park and continued to Sixth Avenue “Avenue of the Americas” and 43rd Street.
In addition to protesting Trump, women and their allies also raised awareness about mental and physical abuse. Late last year, the #MeToo movement caught fire after a series of sexual assault allegations came to light.
Click images to view photo gallery/All photos by ESENDOM.
According to a New York City official, it is estimated that at least 200,000 protesters attended the march in New York.
In New York, the journey presented a conundrum for many attendees. Upon exiting the trains at the Columbus Circle station, protesters entered an unwavering sea of other protesters who had arrived prior. Fortunately, everyone understood they were there for a greater cause, as no known disturbances have been reported. As activist Helena Ruiz noted, “Amazing. There is a march just to get to the actual march.”
Creativity in New York is never an issue. Among the signs present were “Men of Quality do not fear Equality,” “Heroine Hype Team,” “I Love Nasty Women,” “Nasty Women Getting It Done,” “Arrest Trump for Treason,” and “Harrasshole” with an image of Trump, among a slew of signs. A miniature version of a Trump doll also made an appearance. The most popular chant was “Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump has got to go.” Women Workers for Peace also participated, shouting, “No más violencia contra las mujeres (No more violence against women).”
Many celebrities and public figures participated in marches across the country, including actress Lupita Nyong’o (Los Angeles), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (Washington, D.C), and artist and musician Yoko Ono (New York). In the Washington, D.C. rally, Senator Gillibrand said, “It’s women who are holding our democracy together in these dangerous times. To change the system, we need to change the players and have women at the table.” Speaking with a reporter, Ono stated, “I was here last year. More and more, men are marching too, which is so good—intelligent men, they’re doing this naturally. Women have to do it.”
Individuals from different communities came together in solidarity. Individuals and organizations from the LGBTQ and immigrant communities participated, as did many people of color and a diverse group of people of various ages and origins that included infants, small children, and senior citizens. The March reinvigorated the resistance against Trump and his conservative policies
Photo: Protesters carry signs./Source: Nelson Santana.