Following the inauguration, millions of people across the world joined together in what was known as the Women’s March in order to “grab back” at President Donald Trump and the policies he has promised to bring to America. His plans to defund Planned Parenthood and ban Muslims from entering the U.S. have angered people of all races, genders, and religions.
“I feel that women’s rights are human rights. I’m here because I’m a woman and a mother and a daughter. I don’t want the president to fail, but I want my voice to be heard,” said participant Christina Wisboro at the New York Women’s March to Fortune magazine.
Activists and celebrities have shared their beliefs and thoughts regarding this matter at many of these protests and rallies. Carlmont Feminist Club’s Co-President Evelyn Lawrence addressed her own status as a youth activist at San Mateo County’s Community Action Rally.
This countywide rally focused more than just women’s rights but also the environment, education, healthcare, religious toleration, LGBTQ rights, immigrants’ rights, and breaking the glass ceiling. It included speakers like San Mateo County Supervisor Carol Groom, County Superintendent of Education Anne Campbell, and activist-singer Joan Baez.
Feminist Club was invited to speak by the Belmont Library along with another club from Carlmont, Black Students United. Multiple organizers of the rally employed by the library knew of the two clubs, leading to their participation.
Lawrence was joined on the stage by Co-President Sydney Pon and two other members, Sonia Mahajan and Rebecca Chow.
Instead of marching among the crowd, Lawrence said she “was able to speak out and have [her] individual voice heard” with the crowd hanging on every word.
Lawrence represented the voice of students and young people, along with the occasional promo for her club and Carlmont as a school. Numerous poets and pastors spoke about the changing political and social environment that has come about in the recent months, all standing against hate.
Sol Marquez, an organizer with Centro CSO who marched with the Boyle Heights group, told City News Service, “We are here to say that we won’t stand for his hatred.”
Women’s Marches popped up all over the country with an estimated 500,000 in attendance in Washington D.C.
In this emerging political age, people are raising their voices about their beliefs on both sides. The Women’s March is not the last protest against President Trump and his policies with new orders being passed by the day.
“[The rally] was important because it was a way for people in our community to come together in the face of a scary political climate,” said Lawrence.
Many have become afraid of the future of their rights, lives, and their families’ lives. Protesters marched through the streets with saying “Womens’ Rights are Human Rights” and “Not My President,” joining together to show what they believe in.
Lawrence said, “We are no longer as afraid because we know we are not alone.”
