Women’s March 2018 urges women to: “Be the storm”
Women took to the streets again in the US and around the world last January 20 as part of Women’s March 2018, characterizing Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Lorri L. Jean’s call to “Be the storm!”
This march mirrored the first one held last year, but this time focusing on turning out the vote for the November midterm elections.
Women’s March 2018: Marching in the City of Angels
The coordinated mass rallies of the Women’s March happened in several cities, towns, and suburbs through the United States, and covering the major cities from Los Angeles to New York and Washington, DC.
More than 200,000 marched in New York, while 600,000 was counted in in Los Angeles and 300,000 attended Chicago’s march.
Among those who addressed the rallies was the LA LGBT Center head, who spoke on the steps of the Los Angeles City Hall.
“Until we see the change we need in Washington, it is our duty, it is our obligation, to do much more than simply hunker down and weather the storm,” Jean said.
She added: “We must be the storm!”
Meanwhile, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti said: “Some might not like it but look around you. Los Angeles is the face of the world today and sorry Mr. President, we’re the face of this country tomorrow.”
Oscar winning songwriter and Grammy winning singer Melissa Etheridge also gave a performance at the rally, backed up members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.
Women’s March 2018: Marching from sea to sea
Powered by the ongoing #MeToo movement and the Time’s Up campaign versus sexual harassment, many of the rallyists expressed their anger against President Donald Trump and the policies of his administration.
The main theme of the march was to rally women to help the Democrats win elections in the upcoming midterms.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, spoke to marchers in Washington: “We want women to know their power in so many respects– by showing up not only on the day of the march, but in airports, in town halls.”
“It’s women who are holding our democracy together in these dangerous times. To change the system, we need to change the players and have women at the table,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York.
Ironically, President Trump commented via Twitter saying: “Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months.”
Because of the government shutdown, the president wasn’t able to go to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida during the weekend as planned.
However, around 300 protesters gathered near his mansion to rally with “Impeach Trump” signs.
There were also rallies in Canada, Italy, Germy, Uganda, and Japan.
Check out the video below to see Jean’s speech at the LA City Hall and be inspired: