Photograph by Claire Dresser
Supporters of the historic Women’s March commemorated its anniversary with marches throughout the Bay Area on January 20. Demonstrators participated in events in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and Walnut Creek.
It is estimated that sixty thousand people attended Women’s March events in Oakland and approximately one hundred thousand people marched in San Francisco. Throughout the country, between 1.6 million and 2.5 million people participated in Women’s Marches.
Last year, the march was held on the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration in an effort to protest the ideologies and actions of the United States’ 45th President. According to tech worker Douglas Pope, a participant of the San Francisco Women’s March 2018, the issue of Trump’s supposed bigoted and homophobic nature is still relevant.
Pope stated, “I think Trump has been atrocious for women’s health issues and women’s rights, and it’s really sad that we have someone who’s committed sexual assault in the Oval Office.”
In regard to the actions Trump has taken over the course of his presidency, Oakland Women’s March organizer Ivonne Quiroz stated,
“Though right now, everything has just been words, we understand that those words have power in how federal and state congresspeople push policy that could impact millions of women all over the country. Instead of waiting for the other shoe to drop, we want to be proactive in making sure that we’re ready when those words turn in action, which we are starting to see.”
Although a main goal of the Women’s March was still to protest the Trump administration, the primary focus has shifted to include a broader range of inequality-related topics.
One prominent theme has been dubbed “Power to the Polls,” which encourages voters, especially women, to vote for specific people running for political office and on issues of importance such as women’s health rights.
On their website, Women’s March Bay Area said, “This rally is designed to engage and empower all people to support women’s rights, human rights, social and environmental justice, and to encourage participation in 2018 midterm elections.”
Some people have stated that the Women’s March is not accepting of women who voted for Trump, as well as conservative women and those opposed to abortions.
On the day of the march, Trump tweeted, “Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last twelve months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!”
The President received backlash for the tweet from supporters of the march, who said he failed to address any of the ideals they were marching for.
When asked how the events of the march compared to her expectations, ten-year-old marcher Chloe stated, “I expected it to be a lot of women, but there’s a lot of men here too and I’m really happy to see them supporting women like this.”
Quiroz stated that Women’s March Oakland stands for and with the community.
“We are a women of color led organization that will be moving beyond just organizing marches,” said Quiroz. “We will be working to partner with other organizations and work with community leaders and members on our areas of focus which are: Immigration Rights, Ending Violence, Civil Rights and youth.”
For many, the Women’s Marches have signified the coming together of women all around the world.
“[It is important] to show solidarity and express women’s uniqueness,” said Catherine Hourcade, a retired nurse who attended the march in San Francisco. “It’s the time that women are standing up.”