As the inauguration of the 45th president draws near, a number of groups are planning various events and rallies, perhaps most notably, the Women’s March on Washington. I have read a number of opinion pieces and spoken to many people about the march, and several questions and criticisms seem to consistently arise. I would like to address some two of the major themes.
Some people may say: “The election is over. The new president will have taken office. What’s the point of a march the day after the inauguration?”
I would respond that the election certainly is over, but the consequences of the election outcome officially begin on Jan. 20. This march is not about the election. It is not about questioning the outcome, or placing blame, or about who voted for whom — it is about what happens now.
Marching the day after the inauguration means that we are not marching for or against a presidential candidate. We are marching for affordable quality healthcare, quality public education, LGBTQ rights, disability rights, reproductive freedom, religious freedom, free speech, free press, racial equality, a common-sense gun regulation, and much more … all things that have been threatened by both rhetoric and actions by the incoming administration. I am marching against hate and intolerance. I am marching to make my voice heard for rights and freedoms for all of us, regardless of who we voted for.
If you voted for Donald Trump because of his stance on immigration but you value a quality public school education, I march for you. If you voted for Donald Trump because of his stated foreign policy but you are disabled and need rights, respect and Medicare assistance, I march for you. If you didn’t vote for whatever reason, you, too, deserve access to affordable health care, freedom to practice your religion and respect and tolerance so you feel safe, and I march for you.
Some others may say: “You are marching on Donald Trump’s first full day as president, when he hasn’t even done anything yet. Why not give him a chance and save your complaining for after something actually happens?”
Maya Angelou said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.” We heard Donald Trump speak about his beliefs and his plans, and now with a Republican majority in Congress, we believe that he will try to push through those beliefs and plans. His spoken words, though, are not the only issue; we have seen his proposed Cabinet appointments, seen their track records and what they stand for, and some of them may present a threat to our rights, freedoms and well-being.
It goes without saying that complaining after damage has been done is not nearly as effective as putting forth maximum effort to try and prevent the damage in the first place. We may have a Republican majority in Congress, but that does not mean that Trump’s entire agenda is a foregone conclusion. I am marching so that all our elected officials know that they do not have carte blanche. Through this march, I hope to show the incoming government that we are many, we are passionate, we are determined, and we will not quietly accept an agenda that threatens our rights and freedoms. If we end up pleasantly surprised by Trump, then great.
But every single person (note: not just women) of the hundreds of thousands marching that day — not just in D.C., but in many other places across the country — will be watching the government’s every move like hawks. And we will not be silent.
Olga Starr
East Brunswick