The Women’s March on Washington, formerly the Million Women March, was announced on social media the morning after the election. Almost instantly, it became viral and people were wondering how they could contribute, share, and invite their friends and family.
(Read about our piece on The March on Washington and the “Nasty” Women Behind It)
In the beginning, it was chaos with over 200,000 people RSVPing on Facebook to attend the event but uncertainty lingered on as organizers faced rumors of cancellation, founding members leaving, and backlash that the march wasn’t inclusive.
Eventually, it all fell in to place. By Friday, the third day after the election, Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez and Linda Sarsour were brought in as the co-chairs.
“So myself, being a Latin American woman, Tamika Mallory being an African American woman, then Linda Sarsour, a Muslim American and co-chairing with Bob Bland, who is a dynamic woman, we thought it was our responsibility as the new President Elect’s targets of his racist and sexist rhetoric,” Perez told DIVERGE. “Certainly for me, its also because often times, I never really saw myself reflected in positions of leadership as a Latina woman or even on television.”
The organization confirmed that permits have been approved and plan to start its rally at Independence Avenue and Third Street SW, in front of the Capitol. According to D.C. police, the permit states the rally will disperse at the southern part of the Ellipse near the White House, at Constitution Avenue between 15th and 17th streets NW.
So why is it so important to march forward in unity?
As the Executive Director of The Gathering for Justice, a nonprofit founded by Harry Belafonte, who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Perez feels this is only a continuation of legacy and celebration of the work that happened in the past.
“I just want to make sure that every young girl, who is going to be a part of this or sees this on TV, she sees herself reflected in leadership or she understands that she can be our next president and that there are women of color that look like her, that sound like her, that come from the same communities that will make it in communities and be in solidarity with all women in different walks of life,” she added.
The organization has also launched a call for WMW Youth Ambassadors, an initiative that seeks to create a diverse group of people below age 18 from various backgrounds, races, states, schools, ages, socio-economic backgrounds, religions and gender identification to be the young voices and faces of the WMW both in their respective communities and on a national scale.
To submit a candidate for consideration, please email the following to tabitha@womensmarch.com, before the December 31, 2016 deadline.
For those who are attending, “they can look forward to a day of radical resistance with women from all different issues and all different walks of life coming together to stand in solidarity with one another.”
Perez added that its important that we are clear about the message and the voice being heard by President-elect Donald Trump.
“It will be the day after his inauguration and so we’re coming together to make sure that he hears our cries loud and clear,” she stated.
For more information or faqs, visit https://www.womensmarch.com/faq/
If you would like to support the cause, visit: https://www.crowdrise.com/womens-march-on-washington/fundraiser/womens-marchon-washington
