St. Louis joined Washington, D.C. in solidarity with sister cities around the U.S. and the world in global protest after the inauguration with the Women’s March on January 21, 2017. It was a beautiful morning in downtown STL drawing a crowd estimated anywhere between 11,000-20,000 protestors. The marchers gathered near Union Station & at 9 am began to walk peacefully down Market Street to the Arch. Protestors included women and men, young and old, handicapped in wheelchairs & babies in strollers.
One of the best parts of the Women’s March was reading the creative, witty & heartfelt signs carried by the protesters. The slogans displayed the wide range of issues of concern, such as health care, racism, sexual assault, reproductive health, economic fairness, immigration, & LGBTQ, just to name a few. The one sign that summed up t
he attitude 0f many was: “I can’t believe I’m still protesting this xxxx (real word edited)!” Marchers included all ages, gender & races, although the crowd was predominantly white and female. The streets were packed with a line of people from Union Station to the Arch. Most walked with friends and family members in small groups with many grandmothers walking with their daughters & granddaughters.
Many wore pink clothing, but especially predominant were the pink homemade hats which were knitted, crocheted or sewn. Protestors around the world joined in wearing these hats, promoted by The Pussyhat Project. Protestors were encouraged to make these hats in solidarity to wear themselves or give to others in a way for those who could not attend to participate. For more information on this project, its meaning & purpose, click here.
At 10:30am the event continued with speakers at Luther Ely Smith Square by the Arch. Sen Claire McCaskill flew back to St. Louis after the inauguration for the March. She marched with protestors & gave welcoming remarks by the Arch. The speakers that morning were organizers, activists, religious leaders & poets, who represented a diversity of ages, issues, religions & causes.
Some of the notable comments or themes by the speakers were:
- Women’s right are human rights
- Have right to cherish but not denigrate
- All voices will be heard
- Silence becomes betrayal – MLK
- We are not invisible
- Anger needs to be controlled, aimed and armed with love & joy
- Whites need to confront racism as the legacy of white supremacy is deep
- True majority is unstoppable
- Feel suffering of women not being validated historically
- Strength of power of women is underestimated
- Affordable reproductive health care is a human right
- Attacking Planned Parenthood is directly attacking women
- Become politically involved: call, lobby, walk, talk, listen
- Duty to fight for our freedom & duty to win it
- Rally against the rape culture, emboldened privileged, & wealth culture
- Be aware of the privileges we carry & use that privilege to enact change
- The ascension of this president is our awakening
- Gun control is a women’s & mom issue
- Our sons should not have to grow up with a “locker room culture”
- Love conquers hate
All were encouraged to continue activism and to make Missouri become the “Show Up” state. There was an activity fair afterward for those who wanted to information on ways to become more involved. Those who want info on upcoming events should text the word “women” to the number 90975. You will then be asked to submit your zip code for info specific to your geographic area.
March forward with “10 Actions for the First 100 Days” from the Women’s March Team.
Submitted by WCD Member