#WomensMarch Takes Over The World

Written by: Kanita Tariq 

On January 21, 2017, the day after President Trump’s inauguration, a worldwide protest known as the Women’s March took place in the United States and 81 other countries. The protest, originally organized as the Women’s March on Washington, primarily attempted to boldly support the importance of women’s rights to spread a message of “women’s rights are human rights” to the new administration. As the movement grew, it advocated for immigration and healthcare reform, environmental protection, LGBT+ and workers’ rights, racial justice, and religious freedom.

Worldwide participation was recorded to be 4.8 million. A total of 408 marches were planned in the United States, the largest being Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle. Famous public figures including Gloria Steinem, Madonna, Emma Watson, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Moore, and even New Jersey Senator Cory Booker all actively participated. Globally, there were 673 marches, most prominent in London, Paris, and Berlin.

Map of all the marches that took place globally.

The Women’s March is the largest peaceful, political protest since the anti-Vietnam War protests in the 1960’s and 70’s.

A hearty congratulations to the remarkable women responsible for organizing such a successful protest, and to the people, who united - regardless of gender, race, class, religion, and orientation - to exercise their right to fight for what they believe in. Thank you.