When I heard that the Women’s March was happening, I knew I was going to go to it, but I had no clue what I was going to experience.
I had never gone to a march before. I wanted to go to the one in LA last year, but I was unable to. My mom told me about it, about how inspiring it was, but I didn’t understand how a march could be inspiring. I thought marches were when people made signs protesting against injustices and walked. I was so wrong.
Yes, I walked. Yes, I protested. But, I did so much more. I connected, I learned, I loved, I was inspired, and I still am inspired.
I thought the address I found for the march, 133 S. California St., between Bombay’s Bar & Grill and the Masonic Building, was just the spot where the march began, where I would start walking. Little did I know that when I arrived at the address, there were booths, music, a stage, and hundreds of people already buzzing around.
The booths had petitions, pamphlets, art, pins, and more. The speakers boomed songs that made you want to dance. The stage was equipped with microphones. But, even more amazing, was the people.
Women, men, Mexicans, Jews, Native Americans, African Americans, dogs, toddlers, old people, teens. Every kind of person was there. Everyone was accepted. We were a group of people; race didn’t define us, color didn’t define us, gender didn’t define us, and beliefs didn’t define us. We were a group of people standing up for the justice that is being taken away.
One of the most amazing things was the spirit of the group. We were fighting against very serious and sad topics, but everyone was happy. No, happy isn’t the right word, but more like strong, empowered, hopeful, and cheerful.
Girls who I never met before would come up and ask to take pictures with me and my sign. They would put their arms around me. People would compliment each other, share beliefs, and act like they had known everyone since they were kids. Even though we had just met, all of us were bonded. Bonded for our shared craving of equality, equity, and justice.
I felt loved; I felt powerful; and I felt hopeful that with people like these, we could change the future.
Then, there were the speeches. The first speaker was a girl around my age. She told about horrible things happening in our country, but with every obstacle, she told how we are going to overcome it. Julia Brownley Spoke, another senator spoke, and by the end of the speeches, I was in tears.
They were tears of sadness of the injustice taking place. They were tears of anger because people nowadays have to march for facts. But, they were also tears of hope, happiness, and inspiration. Hope that we can fix this. Happiness that I am part of this movement. I was inspired to take everything from this march and make a change everyday, not just today.
Then we marched, we walked until our feet hurt, we chanted until our voices were hoarse, and we protested, and we will protest until there is justice for everyone.