By Jake Shore
People filled the streets of Manhattan on Saturday for the first anniversary of the Women’s March. Fordham students showed support by marching, several with pink hats and colorful signs.
Initially a response to President Donald Trump’s inauguration last year, Saturday’s march featured signs and chants relating to the recent #MeToo movement and encouraging more women to vote and run for office.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office estimates more than 200,000 people attended the march, as measured by NYPD officers patrolling the event.
College Democrats headed to the march with 35 club members. President Eleanor Werner, FCRH ’18, said it was important for the club to march and show support for their members who are women.
“Women need to march in general because we need to send a message to this administration and everyone around the world that women deserve just as much as men do. That women are equal and deserve to be treated equally,” said Werner.
The event started with a rally by 72nd Street and Central Park before attendees marched down to 59th Street Columbus Circle and then to 6th Avenue. The march snaked past Trump family properties where many protesters took to yelling “shame” and referenced alleged remarks Trump made disparaging Haiti and African countries.
Emily DiGiacomo, FCRH ’18, said that the energy at the march was hopeful and gave a venue for people to express how they want things to change for women.
“It proves that this is a movement, and the women’s march last year wasn’t just an emotional reaction or a fad but an event that resonated with thousands in our country,” said DiGiacomo. “It’s important to continue to demonstrate women have a voice and aren’t afraid to use it, and that we are a unified front, that we won’t be silenced or ignored.”
Women’s Marches took place across the world in major cities. This year’s march had a greater focus on registering voters for the upcoming midterm elections. Last year’s organizers of the Washington D.C. march held a “Power to the Polls” event in Las Vegas to mobilize voters in a state where a Republican governorship and senate seat are up for grabs.
Trump tweeted reasons to celebrate on Saturday regarding the Women’s March: “Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!”
However, many marchers took the event as an opportunity to rebuke the President. College Democrats Treasurer Cameron DeChalus, FCRH ’20, said his participation was a chance to voice his and other College Democrats’ agitation with the Trump administration.
“We constantly have seen the civil rights and liberties that are currently being attacked by the current administration and with the #MeToo movement it was important to take a stand against those who have abused their power,” said DeChalus.
