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2017 Women's March

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Women's March on Washington
File:Women's March on Washington logo.png
Logo
DateJanuary 21, 2017
Location
Washington, D.C.

The Women's March on Washington is a political rally scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on January 21, 2017 to promote women's rights, immigration reform, LGBTQIA rights, and address racial inequities, worker’s issues, environmental issues, and others; with sister events in cities around the world.[1] The march, organized as a grassroots movement, will take place the day after the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.[2] The march aims to "send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights."[3]

History

Organizers initiated plans for the march on November 9, 2016, the day after Election Day.[4] Founders organized the march in reaction to Trump's campaign rhetoric, which they found divisive, racist, and misogynistic.[5]

Teresa Shook of Hawaii created a Facebook event and invited 40 of her friends to march on Washington to protest Trump's election. Similar Facebook pages created by Evvie Harmon, Fontaine Pearson, Bob Bland, Breanne Butler, and others quickly led to thousands of women signing up to march.[6][7][8][9] Harmon, Pearson, and Butler decided to unite their efforts and consolidate their pages, beginning the official Women's March on Washington.[6] To ensure that the march was led by women of differing races and backgrounds, Vanessa Wruble, co-founder and Head of Campaign Operations, brought on Tamika D. Mallory, Carmen Perez and Linda Sarsour to serve as National Co-Chairs alongside Bob Bland.[6][10]

Organizers state the march is not intended to target Trump but is "more about being proactive about women's rights," and, more broadly, "a stand on social justice and human rights issues ranging from race, ethnicity, gender, religion, immigration and healthcare".[11][12]

Organizers

Dolores Huerta in 2016

The four co-chairs are Linda Sarsour, the executive director of the Arab American Association of New York; Tamika Mallory, a political organizer and former executive director of the National Action Network; Carmen Perez, an executive director of the political action group The Gathering for Justice; and Bob Bland, a fashion designer who focuses on ethical manufacturing.[11][13] Vanessa Wruble, co-founder and co-president of Okayafrica, serves as Head of Campaign Operations.[10] Gloria Steinem, Harry Belafonte, LaDonna Harris, Angela Davis and Dolores Huerta are serving as honorary co-chairs.[14][15]

Harry Belafonte

Throughout Donald Trump's campaign, he promised to defund Planned Parenthood as long as it performs abortions. Planned Parenthood has partnered with the march by providing staff and offering knowledge related to planning a large-scale event.[16] President Cecile Richards believes the march will “send a strong message to the incoming administration that millions of people across this country are prepared to fight attacks on reproductive healthcare, abortion services and access to Planned Parenthood." The organization "hopes that [in the future] many of the protesters will mobilize in its defense when Trump and congressional Republicans make their attempt to strip the organization of millions in federal funding." The national organizing director stressed the importance of continuing action at a local level and remaining active after the event.[11]

Name origin

Originally billed as the "Million Women March",[17] the organizers eventually chose to call the event the Women's March on Washington after the 1963 March on Washington, a historic civil rights rally on the Mall where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. The rally will also pay tribute to the 1997 Million Woman March in Philadelphia, in which hundreds of thousands of African American women are said to have participated.

Policy platform

On January 12, the march organizers released a policy platform addressing reproductive rights, immigration reform, LGBTQIA rights, gender and racial inequities, worker’s issues, and others.[18][19]

Quoting Martin Luther King, "We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back," the organizers see the movement in the context of other past and ongoing movements for equality:

Our liberation is bound in each other’s. The Women’s March on Washington includes leaders of organizations and communities that have been building the foundation for social progress for generations. We welcome vibrant collaboration and honor the legacy of the movements before us - the suffragists and abolitionists, the Civil Rights Movement, the feminist movement, the American Indian Movement, Occupy Wall Street, Marriage Equality, Black Lives Matter, and more – by employing a decentralized, leader-full structure and focusing on an ambitious, fundamental and comprehensive agenda.[19]

The organizers also address environmental issues: "We believe that every person and every community in our nation has the right to clean water, clean air, and access to and enjoyment of public lands. We believe that our environment and our climate must be protected, and that our land and natural resources cannot be exploited for corporate gain or greed—especially at the risk of public safety and health."[19]

Location

Organizers hoped to model the event on August 28, 1963 March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr., standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech.[20] The National Park Service denied organizers a permit at the Lincoln Memorial due to a scheduling conflict that day (the presidential inauguration and other groups had requested that location already).[21]

On December 9, the organizers announced that a permit had been secured to start the march on Independence Avenue at the southwest corner of the US Capitol building and continue along the National Mall.[22]

According to the organizers, sister marches will take place in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as in 55 global cities, including Tokyo, Sydney, Nairobi, Paris, and Bogotá.[23][24][25]

Participation

As of January 20, 2017, 222,000 people had RSVP'd as going and 251,000 indicated interest.[6][26][27] On January 16, 2017, Fox News reported that authorities are expecting a "a crowd of almost 500,000 people".[28]

An unprecedented 23 groups have applied for First Amendment permits during inaugural week, and security planners are bracing for protests.[29]

Rather than attend the inaugural parade, the Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe, announced that he would attend the Women's March on Washington. Democrat McAuliffe said he would be marching in Washington with his wife Dorothy, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.[30]

Partnerships

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood

In late December, organizers announced that over 100 organizations will provide assistance during the march and support the event across their social media platforms.[31] By January 18, more than 400 organizations were listed as "partners" on the March's official website.[32][33]

Planned Parenthood and the Natural Resources Defense Council are listed as the two "premier partners."[32] Other organizations listed as partners include the AFL-CIO, Amnesty International USA, the Mothers of the Movement, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the National Organization for Women (NOW), MoveOn.org, Human Rights Watch, CODEPINK, Black Girls Rock, NAACP, the American Indian Movement, Emily's List, OXFAM, Greenpeace USA, and the League of Women Voters.[32][31][34][35][36]

Several anti-abortion women's groups sought to participate in the march, but the organizers did not approve of their participation.[37] The March organizers' set of "unity principles" included "open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people."[38]

Speakers and notable attendees

The official list of speakers was released on January 18. The speakers include Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Ilyasah Shabazz; Janet Mock; LaDonna Harris; Maryum Ali; Rabbi Sharon Brous; Sister Simone Campbell; Sophie Cruz; America Ferrera; Angela Davis; Gloria Steinem; Ashley Judd; Scarlett Johansson; Melissa Harris-Perry; Michael Moore; Randi Weingarten; Van Jones; Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner; Roslyn Brock; Muriel Bowser, mayor of Washington, D.C.; and Ai-jen Poo.[39]

Celebrities including Amy Schumer, Samantha Bee, Olivia Wilde, and Lupita Nyong'o have declared their intention to attend the march.[11][40] On January 10, organizers announced that America Ferrera will serve as chair of the "Artist Table," and Chelsea Handler, Zendaya, Katy Perry, Madonna and Cher will participate.[41]

Honoree list controversy

On January 19, the organizers of the Women’s March sparked outrage online when it released a document on their guiding vision.[42] Hillary Clinton was conspicuously omitted from the list of honorees being honored by the March as "revolutionary leaders", even though the document quoted her landmark 1995 speech as the "basic and original tenet from which all our values stem". Co-chair Linda Sarsour confirmed this was a deliberate decision on Facebook, citing concerns about "optics".[43][44]

Demonstration paraphernalia

File:Hear Our Voice by Liza Donovan Women's March on Washington 2017.jpg
Women's March on Washington graphic by Liza Donovan

Signage

Personal, group, and collaborative projects for banner making and sign making for signs to carry or wear were organized spontaneously throughout the nation. Facebook friends took orders for T-shirts and other apparel to silk screen or paint. In Richmond, Virginia, attendees of the March on Washington participated in an "Art of Activism" series of workshops at Studio Two Three, a printmaking studio for artists in Scott's Addition.[45]

Pussyhat Project

Woman wearing a knit pink hat

The Pussyhat Project is a nationwide effort to knit pink hats to be worn at the march.[46] The hats symbolize empowerment through unity, diversity, caring and strength. Their name refers to the resemblance of the hats' corners to cat ears, and is a way of reclaiming the derogatory term "pussy". The hats' production has caused a shortage of pink wool.[47]

Commentary

Gloria Steinem (2011)

Honorary co-chair Gloria Steinem commented, "Our constitution does not begin with 'I, the President.' It begins with, 'We, the People.' I am proud to be one of thousands who have come to Washington to make clear that we will keep working for a democracy in which we are linked as human beings, not ranked by race or gender or class or any other label."[11]

Michael Moore, who plans to attend the event, said: "It's important that everybody go there. This will have an effect. We have to throw everything at this. This man is slightly unhinged, if I can say that, and he's a malignant narcissist. He's going to be very upset if there's a lot of people there."[48]

While the march aims to create a social movement, Marcia Chatelain of Georgetown University's Center for Social Justice commented that its success will depend on the marchers' ability to maintain momentum in the following weeks. "One of the goals of any type of march or any type of visible sign of solidarity is to get inspired, to inspire people to do more. And the question is, at the march, what kind of organizational structures or movements will also be present to help people know how to channel their energy for the next day and for the long haul?" Historian Michael Kazin also commented on the importance of a long-term strategy: "All successful movements in American history have both inside and outside strategy. If you're just protesting, and it just stops there, you're not going to get anything done."[23]

Critics of the march, writing before the release of its platform on January 12, 2017, claimed it would have little likelihood of success because its political goals were unclear or misplaced.[49][50]

See also

References

  1. ^ Tolentino, Jia (January 18, 2017). "The Somehow Controversial Women's March on Washington". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  2. ^ Rogers, Katie (November 18, 2016). "Amid Division, a March in Washington Seeks to Bring Women Together". New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  3. ^ CNN, Sophie Tatum. "Women's March on Washington: What you need to know". CNN. Retrieved January 20, 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ Novick, Ilana (January 2, 2017). "March on Washington and beyond: How women are resisting Donald Trump". Salon.com (Alternet). Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  5. ^ Cobb, Jelani (January 9, 2017). "The Return of Civil Disobedience". New Yorker. Retrieved January 3, 2017. Born of one woman's invitation to forty friends, the event is meant as a rejoinder to the fact that a candidate with a troubling history regarding women's rights—one who actually bragged about committing sexual assault—has made it to the White House.
  6. ^ a b c d "Women's March on Washington". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  7. ^ Kearney, Laila (December 5, 2016). "Hawaii grandma's plea launches women's march in Washington". Reuters. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  8. ^ Wulfhorst, Ellen (November 11, 2016). "Trump Inauguration To Be Met By Mass 'Women's March On Washington'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  9. ^ Cauterucci, Christina (November 23, 2016). "Getting the Women's March on Washington on the Road". Slate. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  10. ^ a b "National Committee". Women's March on Washington. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e Jamieson, Amber (December 27, 2016). "Women's March on Washington: a guide to the post-inaugural social justice event". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  12. ^ Heyboer, Kelly (January 4, 2017). "Women's March on Washington 2017: Who's going and when, how to get there and why it's happening". NJ.com. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  13. ^ Stein, Perry; Somashekhar, Sandhya (January 3, 2017). "It started with a retiree. Now the Women's March could be the biggest inauguration demonstration". Washington Post. Retrieved January 4, 2017. Video of Bob Bland speaking about the rally.
  14. ^ Walker, Ashley Edwards (December 28, 2016). "Planned Parenthood and Gloria Steinem Have Joined the Women's March on Washington". Glamour. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  15. ^ Przybyla, Heidi (January 6, 2017). "Women's march an 'entry point' for a new activist wave". USA Today. Retrieved January 7, 2017.Women's march an 'entry point' for a new activist wave.
  16. ^ Iannelli, Nick (December 29, 2016). "Pair of longtime activists join Women's March on Washington". WTOP News (Washington, D.C.). Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  17. ^ Crockett, Emily (November 21, 2016). "The 'Women's March on Washington,' explained". Vox. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  18. ^ Cauterucci, Christina (January 12, 2017). "The Women's March on Washington Has Released an Unapologetically Progressive Platform". Slate. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  19. ^ a b c "Guiding Vision and Definition of Principles" (PDF).Guiding Vision and Definition of Principles
  20. ^ Stein, Perry (November 14, 2016). "'Women's March on Washington' planning for big crowds on Inauguration weekend". Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  21. ^ Lang, Cady (December 8, 2016). "Women's March on Washington Won't Be Happening at the Lincoln Memorial". Time. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  22. ^ Stein, Perry (December 9, 2016). "The Women's March on Washington says it has secured a starting location". Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  23. ^ a b Salazar, Alejandra Maria (December 21, 2016). "Organizers Hope Women's March On Washington Inspires, Evolves". NPR.org. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  24. ^ Graves, Chris (January 6, 2017). "Cincinnati-area women organize local march to coincide with Women March on Washington". Cincinnati.com (USA Today). Retrieved January 10, 2017. Cincinnati-area women organize local march to coincide with Women March on Washington.
  25. ^ Dalbey, Beth (January 16, 2017). "Women's March on Washington 2017: Find Minnesota Sister Marches".
  26. ^ Felsenthal, Julia (January 10, 2017). "These Are the Women Organizing the Women's March on Washington". Vogue. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  27. ^ Blau, Reuven; Greene, Leonard (January 12, 2017). "Women's March on Washington could well outdraw the inauguration of President-elect Trump". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 12, 2017. an estimated 200,000 women expected to participate.
  28. ^ Singman, Brooke (January 16, 2017). "Celebs to descend on Washington for anti-Trump mega-rally". Fox News. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  29. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (December 27, 2016). "Trump Inauguration Security Planners Brace for Wave of Protesters". New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  30. ^ Nolte, Jessica; Schiffres, Megan; Service, Capital News (January 20, 2017). "Gov. McAuliffe to join March on Washington". WRIC. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  31. ^ a b Cauterucci, Christina (December 19, 2016). "Amnesty International USA Signs On as Women's March Partner". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  32. ^ a b c "Partners". womensmarch.com.
  33. ^ Leandra Bernstein, More pro-life groups removed as official partners of the Women's March, Sinclair Broadcasting Group (January 18, 2017).
  34. ^ Ryan, Lisa (December 20, 2016). "The Women's March on Washington Has a New Sponsor". The Cut. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  35. ^ Rogers, Katie (December 12, 2016). "Women's March and Bikers for Trump Claim Inaugural Demonstration Spots". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  36. ^ Dwyer, Kate (December 30, 2016). "Here's How YOU Can Get Involved With the Women's March on Washington". Teen Vogue. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  37. ^ Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Views on Abortion Strain Calls for Unity at Women’s March on Washington, New York Times (January 18, 2017).
  38. ^ Emma Green, These Pro-Lifers Are Headed to the Women's March on Washington: Is there room in the movement for people who morally object to abortion?, The Atlantic (January 16, 2017).
  39. ^ Claire Landsbaum, Here's the Official List of Speakers for the Women’s March on Washington, New York (January 18, 2017).
  40. ^ https://twitter.com/Lupita_Nyongo/status/821783382111780864
  41. ^ Jackson, Danielle (January 10, 2017). "America Ferrera, Chelsea Handler, Katy Perry, more to participate in Women's March on Washington". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  42. ^ T., Brett (January 19, 2017). "Who's ready for more Women's March unity? #AddHerName campaign wants Hillary added as honoree". Twitchy. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  43. ^ Zanotti, Emily (January 19, 2017). "Women's March Attendees Angry After Hillary Clinton Left Off List of Honorees". Heatstreet. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  44. ^ Adelman, Lori (January 20, 2017). "How the Women's March Could Resurrect the Democratic Party". New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2017. But the loudest criticism of the march has come not from Trump supporters; rather, it has come from participants who argue that women of color have hijacked the event by focusing it on themselves, instead of women more broadly. March organizers told me they received a surge of complaints after women of color called for more representation on the march's leadership team.
  45. ^ Remmers, Vanessa (January 18, 2017). "Local participants of Women's March on Washington descend on art studio to prepare". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. B1. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  46. ^ Shamus, Kristen Jordan (January 14, 2017). "Pussyhat Project is sweeping nation ahead of the Women's March on Washington". Detroit Free Press/USA Today. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  47. ^ Keating, Fiona (January 14, 2017). "Pink 'pussyhats' will be making statement at the Women's March on Washington". International Business Times UK. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  48. ^ Lee, Sarah (January 7, 2017). "Michael Moore calls for '100 days of protest' against Donald Trump". The Blaze. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  49. ^ Dalmia, Shikha (January 4, 2017). "Why the Women's March on Washington has already failed". The Week. Retrieved January 4, 2017. Instead the march is shaping up to be a feel-good exercise in search of a cause. And if it fizzles and fails, it'll make it harder, not easier, to fight genuine rights violations under the Trump presidency.
  50. ^ Editorial Board (January 5, 2017). "The Women's March on Washington is becoming a joke". New York Post. Retrieved January 5, 2017. It's almost as if no one's treating this thing seriously.

External links

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