WOMEN’S MARCH 2018 – YYJ
As January 20, 2018 marked the one year anniversary weekend of two polarizing events, the inauguration of President Donald Trump and the International Women’s March, people of all genders, races and ages joined together to march on. This was done as an act of solidarity in the efforts of furthering women’s rights and to protest the continued attempts of policy change aimed at attacking women’s rights in the United States by Donald Trump. Hundreds of people from Victoria, BC, participated in the Women’s March this year, showing up clad in Pussy Hats, with signs representing the many reasons why the March is just as important this year, globally and specific to Victoria.
As Centennial Square in downtown Victoria began to populate around 11am on Saturday, a buzz of excitement was tangible amongst the crowd. While looking around the square, people were pointing at the signs, laughing at the sarcastic, witty and direct ways messages were being delivered. Some marchers were handing out Pussy Hats they had pre-made, petitions were being signed to ban Trump from coming to Canada, flyers were being handed out to bring awareness to Proportional Representation in the Provincial Election, local grass roots organizations were giving speeches and acknowledging the unceded Coast Salish Territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ nations that the Victoria Women’s March was being held on and individuals were talking amongst themselves about why they decided to march. When asked, most marchers were a little shy at first, but were quick to share their reasons for attending the march this Saturday.
Krista, 28, came to the march to support the advocacy work being done to create more equity in the workplace for women. Krista shared that she believes women experience micro-aggressions in the workplace and that this is something that needs to change in order for women to experience their rights.
From left to right, Callie, 21, kept her answer simple and direct. She shared that “it didn’t end last year”, and that there is still much to improve in terms of women’s rights. Inza, 20, came this year because she missed last year’s march and wanted to show support this year.
Ro, 53, participated in Victoria’s march because “women make up the majority of the population and are underrepresented”. Ro also shared that she is wearing her button for Anita Hill from the 80’s. Ro expressed disappointment that she is able to wear the same things she wore in the 80’s in order to protest women’s need for equality, but does feel hopeful as it seems that women have reclaimed the word feminism and are less afraid to identify as such. Ro also expressed the importance of having a wide range of ages present at Saturday’s march in order to glean from the wisdom and knowledge of the elders amongst the matriarchy.
Grant, 70, attended the march not only to raise awareness for women’s rights in the Western world, but for women around the world. Grant explained how when we march, the rest of the world watches and that has a large impact. Grant pressed the need for continued action, saying “we can never stand down”.
Hannah, 19, shared that she attended the march “because something needs to be done”. Caitlin, 19, marched to “show solidarity and support for everyone who has been affected, especially women who are struggling in the Global South and in the States”. Ellery, 18, expressed her desire for equality for “everyone, no matter age, race or gender”.
Lesley came to the march with her husband, explaining that they support the equality of women, that they talk about it often privately but wanted to support it publically.
From left to right, Sarah, 18, Abigail, 14, Rebecca, 11, Miranda, 22, and Rachel, 20, all came to the march to support equality and to ensure that the younger generation remains aware of why this march is occurring. Sarah marched for equal pay and representation in academia, while Rachel discussed working in industries where sexual harassment continues to occur, stating that it is time to “take our power back”.
Sisters Savannah, 22, and Brianna, 29, were excited to be able to march together. Savannah shared that she participated because women have not experienced enough equality, she shared that “we want to be right where the men are”. Savannah agreed with her sister’s statements adding that she is marching “in solidarity with all of these women because we are not going to tolerate sexual harassment”. Brianna continued to explain that she has had a lot of realizations this past year in terms of her own experiences as a woman, and was using her realizations as motivation to march.
Gregory and Jared both came to the march for similar reasons, Jared (right) explained that he was influenced by the #MeToo movement, and wanted women to know that he supports their desire to make a difference. Gregory was also influenced by the continued sexual assaults women experience, and tied this back to the President, or the “Mango Mad Man”, in his own words. Gregory said that despite all of the progress made “there is still a long way to go” especially because “the strongest man in power is also the biggest sexual assaulter”.
Ruth was proud to show her sign, quoting a South African Women’s Day slogan. Her friend, Janet, not pictured, said that she thinks “it speaks to the power of women, like, don’t fuck with us kind of thing”.
After an hour of mingling with fellow participants, the march began. As the group travelled through the streets of downtown Victoria, they could be heard chanting “Respect and dignity for trans identities”, “Hey Ho Donald Trump has got to go”, “Respect Women’s Bodies, Respect Women’s Rights”, “We are marching for the 5000 Indigenous women missing and murdered in Canada”, “People of all colours, from every direction, unite here together, in all our intersections”, “Equal right, equal pay, that is why we march today” , and finally, as the group stepped on to lawn in from of the Parliament building, they finished their chanting with “When I say Pussy, you say Power, Pussy, Power, Pussy, Power.”
Although some of the marchers were shy when asked their reasons for marching, it became clear throughout the day that this shyness was perhaps more a need for a moment to put into words why they decided to attend. Through multiple conversations it was evident that there was not one reason people attended the march, but rather a spectrum. This understanding was strengthened during the march while people chanted for different issues of injustice. Women’s rights will not be achieved if just one of these issues are addressed, but rather when they all are, and that is why we march on.
written and photographed by creatures rachel and sarah