Women’s March Against Trump: “We Shall Over Comb This, Too”

Only rock dwellers would miss the fact that on Friday, Donald Trump was sworn into the Presidential office. However much we might have known about it though, many boycotted the event entirely. People took to Twitter in swathes: whether it was to state they were sleeping in like Katy Perry or to rip the inauguration a new one as it happened. For some however, Twitter wasn’t enough of a statement. In London, that some was 100,000.

On Saturday, over 600 marches globally took place in reaction to Trump’s inauguration. Organisers state that in the end, 5 million people protested globally across seven continents. That’s right – even Antarctica joined in. Half a million were in Washington D.C. alone, ironically trumping the more meagre crowds of the inauguration itself (which of course, Trump claims is a lie and the media are out to get him).

Getting Involved On Every Level

In London, the atmosphere of the women’s march was one of camaraderie and hope. Perhaps protesting an already occurred event made the crowds calmer, maybe it was the bright blue skies that lifted spirits. Regardless, Grosvenor Square afront the US Embassy, where the march began, was filled with cheers, smiles, families, friends and fabulous placards.

It didn’t take long to realise from these hilarious signs that we weren’t just protesting one thing. Many protested against Brexit (or ‘Brexshit’ as one poster said and which I shall forever say), climate change, LGBTQ rights, immigration, religious tolerance, nuclear arms and of course, women’s rights and equality. This may seem like people just used the Trump protest for their own platform. The march certainly encouraged every voice to be heard, but all of these issues are ones threatened by a Trump presidency. It just went to show how many global concerns are affected by the ascendency of this man (or ‘cheeto-dusted trash fire’ as one poster said, which I shall forever say).

Pan-Demographic Protest

Given the icy temperatures underfoot, the march needed something heartwarming to get it going. This came in seeing the demographic surrounding us. A women’s march will always attract women of course, but there were children, men and pets everywhere too. There were both British and foreign nationals, some of whom I suspect were simply on holiday and
eager to join in. Placards were in varying languages, depicting multiple ethnicities and religions. Genders and sexual preferences of every kind were represented, by all races. These protests were a real rainbow of people and issues marching under one banner, and it was a beautiful thing to behold.

One aspect of the London march was problematic however; the crowds so exceeded expectation that many of us couldn’t get out of Grosvenor Square to get marching. Hundreds had to wait for the real mass to start moving before they could get out the gates. The last marchers finally gout out twenty minutes before the 2 o’clock finish in Trafalgar Square. Luckily, most found this a cause for celebration than anything else. We knew immediately just how many there were fighting alongside us.

Puns and Power

Of course there was no shortage of puns and sarcasm from the placards. Princess Leia shouted “A women’s place was in the resistance” while older protestor’s signs read “Can’t believe I’m still protesting this shit”. “There will be hell toupee” was a particular favourite, alongside “Truck Fump”. Some used Trump’s own words against him, highlighting his most offensive statements or taking the piss out of them. “Nasty Women Make the Future” and “I know signs, I make the best signs, everyone will agree” were just some. All in all, they certainly helped make the day one of laughter as well as love.

It gives me great pleasure to know that people managed to make something positive out of this presidency. We managed to go global in a fight to protect values, rights and the planet we live on. In doing so, we’ve hopefully given Trump something to think about, because his reign ends in four years or sooner. His assumed power is temporary and can be taken away. Ours will endure, and no cheeto-dusted trash fire will get his tiny hands on it. Lesson learned: this pussy grabs back.

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