The nationwide Women’s Marches occurred on January 21st, 2017. The purpose of each march was to unify women of all backgrounds that were insulted, demonized and threatened in this past election year. The objective was to stand together in solidarity for our nation to hear our voice. This was one of the largest protests in the United States’ history. More than 650sister marches occurred throughout the world with more than 4,956,000 protestors. These marches occurred not only in countries such as France, Poland, Bulgaria and Italy, but also in our home state of Texas. Austin itself brought together 100,000 protestors.

The Women’s March participants, united to fight for human rights. The marches fought to end violence in all forms, for example police brutality, ending racial profiling and the targeting of communities of color. They fought for reproductive freedom, LGBTQIA rights, workers rights, civil rights, disability rights, immigrant rights, and environmental justice. Many protestors felt President Trump expressed misogynistic views throughout his presidential campaign and chose to fight and stand against him. I was lucky enough to participate in the Austin Women’s March and I want to share my story with you.

I was raised in a conservative family that struggles to see their opponent’s views. Growing up I never fully understood what I truly believed until I went to college. I found my voice and wasn’t afraid to fight for what I valued. I was invited to the Women’s March in Austin, Texas via Facebook, which is how the coordinators organized to get the public interested. I immediately accepted and was ready to stand in unity with my fellow community.

I arrived two hours before the March on Texas was scheduled to begin; I walked on our capitol hill and stopped at every table, signed every petition, and wrote my email down multiple times for more information on how to get more involved. People drove hours, and even chartered buses. There were volunteer and nonviolent protest training days to ensure the safety of this March. Organizers also invited speakers and musicians to inspire and advocate on the Capitol steps. As the two hours flew by the number of people coming in with their signs, and wearing their pussy hats blew me away. Some inspiring signs read, “Hope will never be silent”, “Teach love”, “Women’s rights are human rights”, and “Strong women stand together”. Those were a few of the inspirational signs and chants we yelled at the top of our lungs as we stood on Capitol Hill and began to march. The men, women, and children that stood around me inspired me and motivated me to know that it is possible to make a difference in the world.

No pepper spray was sprayed, no policemen had to step in and no violence erupted. Even though President Trump may expresses misogynistic views, but our country will not stand for it and fight back. In order to move forward and make a change we must unite and understand where our opponent’s views come from to unite and create a more peaceful and inclusive world. These large protests will go down in history and show the generations to come that they too can make a change.