Protestors to rally in opposition to Trump
17th January 2017 · 0 Comments
By Fritz Esker
Contributing Writer
The inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump will be met by protests from New Orleans women in both Washington, D.C. and in the Crescent City.
On January 21, the day after the inauguration, the Women’s March on Washington (womensmarch.com) will convene. Local organizer Dora Lambert estimates that over 200,000 men and women will participate in this march, which will begin at 10 a.m. near the U.S. Capitol and end at 5 p.m. Noted feminist Gloria Steinem and singer/activist Harry Belafonte are expected to attend.
January 21 is a significant date because it falls between Trump’s inauguration on January 20 and the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision on January 22. New Orleans resident Emma Pegues will be participating alongside her mother and two sisters.
“What appealed to me personally about this march is the nature of inclusivity – the Women’s March on Washington is open to any and all who feel the rights of women have been endangered by this election,” said Pegues. “It’s not whining or complaining, it’s standing up for what you know is right – it’s a positive force that lends strength to those in need.”
Even though Trump is not the first Republican president of the 21st century, his statements and actions have angered and alienated women in ways that the previous Republican president, George W. Bush, did not.
“So many people have dismissed the anguish and fury that has followed this election as Democrats crying over Hillary Clinton. That’s an ignorant stance,” Pegues said. “Apart from a complete lack of political experience, Donald Trump is a proponent of sexual assault – a crime one in five women will experience in her lifetime. He stands on hate, doesn’t feign decency, mocks those in need, and vilifies empathy…I may not have agreed with Bush’s policies on education or health care, but he never boasted that he could grab my genitals.”
Protests will not be limited to Washington, D.C.
On January 21 at 1 p.m. in Washington Square Park, Women’s March New Orleans is partnering with the Millennials March and March for Revolution (millennialsmarch.com). The march will proceed down Decatur and end at City Hall. The goal is to provide an outlet for those who wish to protest, but either can’t afford or can’t make the trip to Washington, D.C.
Women’s March New Orleans organizer Marcia Lane said protesting is in her blood. Her parents met at a meeting to organize an anti-Vietnam War rally in San Francisco. She firmly believes that in-person, on-the-ground protests are vital to American society.
“It’s easy to think that an online presence/online activism will do. However, it’s just not enough,” Lane said. “Mobilizing is hard, showing up takes work, getting out shows how important this cause is to you. We need visibility. We need our political leadership to see that we are large, we are loud, and we can not be ignored.”
Lane also added that social protest is an important part of American history, dating all the way back to the birth of the country.
“Every major progressive movement in U.S. history has made advances due to protesting and the freedom of assembly – women’s suffrage, civil rights, the anti-war movements, and LBGTQ rights,” said Lane.
None of the organizers believe people should view these events as a flash in the pan or one-and-done efforts.
“This is a call to action,” Lane said. “People need to show up at their local City Council meetings, school board meetings, call and write your members of Congress. This is just the beginning.”
This article originally published in the January 16, 2017 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
