Over 200,000 men, women and children flooded New York City on the day after the one year anniversary of Presidents Trump’s inauguration, and New York wasn’t alone in this. Millions marched in cities across the nation and around the globe.
Trump’s election with a combination of the hyper-partisan politics that have occurred, it has inspired people to take to the streets in numbers the founders of the country wouldn’t dream of in their wildest dreams when they wrote the First Amendment which guarantees the right to “peaceably assemble.”
The New York March was smaller than ones in Los Angeles and other cities, but it still included almost a quarter of a million participants who came from everywhere, from New Jersey to Spain to protest at the Big Apple.
Starting early in the morning people carrying signs and wearing the now iconic pink pussy hats began packing into any subway car that would let them in, though that was easier said than done. With every subway car being filled with signs, marchers, packed in like you vacation suitcase before your honeymoon heading to Columbus and 52nd street. Although Columbus Circle, which is right next to the Trump International Hotel, was the official starting point for the march route, many participants were unable to get close.
Marchers were lined up for over two miles up Central Park West into the 90s. Police who were omnipresent, organized and generally upbeat had to cordon off Columbus Avenue as well to hold the overflow participants.
A surge of marchers filled the space every direction. Although this was the “Women’s March,” protesters were vocal about more than just women’s rights. There were signs taking up every progressive cause: immigration, LGBTQ and minority equality, the #MeToo movement, and many more.
One protester who wished to remain anonymous told The VOICE, “I am marching because I am a victim of sexual assault and rape, and this is a great way to show our faces, that we are bigger than anyone else can imagine.”
Another participant, Julina Tatlock, who was marching with her daughter, told The VOICE, “I’m marching with my daughter to defend women’s rights, human rights and make sure our voices are heard.”
As the crowd was passing by the Trump International Hotel and Tower participants became more vocal. Hundreds chanted in call and response: “Show me what democracy looks like!” followed by “This is what democracy looks like!” Drum corps and bands brought a high energy pulse to the event that kept people moving forward–albeit slowly–on the unseasonably warm afternoon.
One key goal that separated this year’s march from last years was the upcoming election cycle. Many came out to encourage people to register people to vote and participate in this coming midterms elections, to hold the government accountable.
The march was not without its adversaries. Trump supporters stood at the fringes holding signs, wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and cheering (and heckling) in support of the President. Though there was screaming from both sides, the aggression remained vocal and did not become physical.
Towards the end of the march, the crowd was split up into two separate groups, one leading down to Time Square and the other leading up to Bryant Park where a rally was being held.
“In fact, when we got to the end, policemen with bullhorns were saying ‘Okay, the march is over,’ and people were obviously ready to keep to going,” said Philip Richman, a resident from New York who was marching with his 97-year-old mother.
Many dispersed to other rallies and gatherings. Some said they expected to march again in a year’s time.
