Nearly one year ago the nation was still in a bit of a shock. Two months earlier, the one thing that nearly no one thought was going to happen, happened. Reality show host, Donald J. Trump, admitted pussy-grabber and open racist, became President of the United States.
January 20th was the day the stark reality of it all set in for everyone. All of the tricks and legal methods to prevent this day from happening never panned out. Donald Trump put his hand on the bible and moments later became President Trump. We were crushed, I know I was. But less than 24 hours later, something hopeful was born: #TheResistance.
2.6 million people nationwide took to the streets to say that they were resisting this presidency. To put that into an electoral scale – the one thing that Trump cares about – that’s more people than live in North Dakota (3), Wyoming (3) and Alaska (3) combined.
Based on the events already scheduled for 2018 and what the Trump Administration is already attempting to push through, I can’t imagine that this year will be any different in the resistance than 2017.
Oh yeah, and there’s that little thing called “the mid-terms” coming up. NationofChange will be there to cover it all, or at least as much as we can afford to(Hint).
As with 2017, the first mass mobilization was the Women’s March. This year is no different. Like massively successful movies – rallies get their own sequel too.
The main “Woman’s March” event will be in Las Vegas on Sunday, January 21st. While that may seem a bit unusual, there is a reason. To quote from the Women’s March “Power to the Polls” site:
“Women’s March has created a powerful movement that has ignited thousands of activists and new leaders,” said Tamika D. Mallory, co-president of Women’s March. “ In 2018, we must turn our work into action ahead of the midterms. This new initiative will address voter registration and voter suppression head on. We marched for justice in DC, we created our plan in Detroit and now we’re bringing the power of the polls to Nevada.”
Nevada was rocked by the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, recent sexual assault allegations against elected officials, and has become a battleground state that will shape the Senate in 2018. The kick-off event in Las Vegas will bring together talent, musicians, grassroots activists, and elected officials to a key swing state for a large-scale gathering to celebrate the work of the past year and launch a collective 2018 Women’s March agenda.
Unlike last year’s event which was questioned by some (including myself) for a lack of focus and being a couple months late, this year, it is clear that the focus is to get out the vote for 2018. If you can’t make it to Las Vegas or any of the cities that events are taking place, you can watch the livestreams here.
Most of the national events, like those in NYC, Chicago, LA and Washington, DC will be on January 20th, 2018. NYC and DC will start at 11am and Chicago’s event will begin at 9am (local time) with music and videos, but the rally itself will begin at 11am. Los Angeles‘s event will begin at 8:30am (local time).
The Washington, DC event will have speakers from NOW, League of Women Voters and Senator Tim Kaine, to name a few. Chicago will see environmentalist and impeachment enthusiast Tom Steyer, and Congressional Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Bill Foster.
At the time of writing this I couldn’t find a speakers list for New York City – but you can check for updates here… I’m guessing that Mayor de Blasio will be there speaking and marching at the very least. Los Angeles will see Kamala Harris, Alex Padilla and even Titanic’s Frances Fisher. You can see the full list here.
If you can’t find an event near where you live (search here), the Women’s March has a tool kit for you to organize one, even if it’s just in your home! Check out the downloadable PDF here.
NationofChange will be live tweeting and covering the march from Washington, DC. To get all our updates, follow NatonofChange on twitter, and follow their photojournalist (me) on zdroberts on twitter. I’ll try to livestream as often as I can, but that will depend on cell coverage, of course.
Be sure to like our facebook page as we’ll be posting a much larger gallery of photos from the DC event.
Hashtags to follow are:
- For the Anniversary March – #LookBackMarchForward
- DC March – #MarchOn
- LA March – #hearourvote #wmla2018 #firstwemarchthenwevote
- For Global marches #WomensMarchGlobal
Helpful links
Here’s where you can find all your local events outside of major cities (and even some international events): https://www.womensmarchglobal.
NYC Planning: https://www.facebook.com/event
DC Planning: https://www.facebook.com/event
Chicago planning: http://womens121marchonchicago
Los Angeles: https://www.facebook.com/event
Can’t make it? Livestream it: https://www.womensmarchglo
Downloadable Posters from Sara Steele: http://www.sarasteele.com/wome
Stay updated
Make sure you don’t miss a single protest, march or progressive event this year! Sign up to get NationofChange’s Resistance Guide for free. Sign up here.
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