This past Saturday, more than half a million anti-Trump protestors convened in Washington, DC for the Women’s March. Though that statistic alone is impressive, it’s even more impressive that “sister” marches popped up in cities around the world, with representation on all seven continents, with some estimates stating that more than two million people were involved worldwide.
Overall, the march can be considered a “success.” Turnout was enormous, especially compared to Trump’s lackluster inauguration crowds, and with minimal police involvement, there were minimal eruptions of violence, rioting, or arrests. Besides that, there was an atmosphere of welcoming throughout the protests, with people of different races, religions, gender identities, and nationalities joining together for the common cause. A-list speakers talked about fighting for equal rights and standing together in solidarity.
But even considering all that, there are critics who argue that the march had no real effect. Trump is still in office. The patriarchy is still in place. There was no direct action that took place in response to this gathering. So what impact did it really have?
Potential Effects
One of the biggest criticisms of the protest is a valid one. There’s a false belief out there that if you can gather enough people in one place with the same message, representatives will be forced to hear that message and comply with it. That simply isn’t the case. On some level, it wouldn’t matter if two million—or two hundred million—people convened for this demonstration; volumes of people don’t instantly incur meaningful change.
However, the impact of the demonstration can be measured in three main dimensions:
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Clarity. Feminism has a touchy history with race relations. It has a history of being a predominantly white movement, with little regard or attention for other races, and accordingly, intersectional women have avoided participation in movements like these because their voices have been underrepresented. Here, however, the population was diverse, and women of many different backgrounds were able to share their stories and perspectives with one another, building a stronger sense of understanding within the community.
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Solidarity. Knowing that people are willing to stand beside you is extraordinarily powerful. Women who have felt voiceless, after seeing millions of people around the world standing beside them, may now feel a stronger sense of solidarity and mutual support, strengthening their voices and making them feel more confident in their efforts moving forward.
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Motivation. The march wasn’t an end—it was a beginning. One of the biggest calls to action within the march encouraged women to take more action on a regular basis, including donating to the right causes, calling Senators and representatives to sway them on key pieces of legislation, getting involved with local government, and even running for office themselves. If even a fraction of the millions of people involved with the march walked away with renewed vigor and propensity to take action in the future, the event was worth it.
Action From Here
So where does the movement go from here? It’s all about finding ways to take meaningful action:
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Volunteer for organizations that support women’s rights.
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Donate to organizations that support women’s rights and health.
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Mobilize your local communities to take action.
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Make your voice heard at the local level by working with your representatives.
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Pay attention to new forms of legislation that could hurt your community and speak out against them.
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Organize and participate in more protests to gather like-minded individuals.
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Consider running for political office yourself.
Tips for Future Protestors
If you plan on protesting and taking action in the future, keep the following tips in mind:
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Focus on calls to action. It’s good to gather and voice your opinions, but voices can’t get things done directly. All your protests should resolve with some calls to action that yield meaningful results.
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Have legal representation ready. Though this weekend’s marches went smoothly, there’s always the possibility for arrest. Know your rights and have legal representation on standby in case you find yourself in a bind.
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Avoid violence and damage. This should go without saying, but keep your peaceful protests as peaceful as possible while still being effective. Rioting and destruction will only hurt the cause, so avoid them.
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Protect yourself and others. Protests have always and will always be dangerous. Make sure you’re equipped to defend yourself and others, if necessary, and familiarize yourself with your chosen area before starting.
The women’s march was just a beginning, and the movement needs as much support as it can get. Find ways to get involved in your own community, and pay closer attention to the laws getting passed. The more aware and active you are, the bigger impact we’ll all be able to make.
