Donald Trump’s presidential victory over Hillary Clinton came as a shock to many, and for many minorities—particularly women who opposed his election to the presidential seat, the loss was devastating.
But in the coming days, plans of actions have been in the works. On Jan. 21, the day after Trump’s inauguration and the first full day of his administration, the “Women’s March on Washington” will take place.
“What started as a viral idea on social media has snowballed into a potentially massive event, with more than 100,00 people already saying on Facebook that they plan to attend,” VOX reports. “It has the potential to be the biggest mass mobilization yet that America has seen in respoinse to a presidential inauguration…”
While the march will be led and facilitated by women, men are encouraged to join.
“We welcome our male allies,” Bob Bland, one of the first women to organize the march on social media, told The Washington Post. “We want this to be as inclusive as possible while acknowledging that it’s okay to have a women-centered march.”
The event is not a protest, but more of a march or rally, according to promoters. Organizers say that while the event isn’t anti-Trump, it does serve as an affirmative message to the new administration that “women’s rights are human rights.”
“The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us — immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, survivors of sexual assault,” a statement from organizers reads. “The Women’s March on Washington will 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.”
The exact time, location, route and program for the march has yet to be determined, but check the march’s Facebook page for updates.
