Jan. 21. Women from all over the region, including Cornelius and Davidson, have descended on Uptown for a Women’s March on Charlotte, one of many anti-Trump inaugural marches under way around the country and in our nation’s capital.
Brenda Heerdt of Bailey’s Glen marched today. “I am 72 years young)and put this day in one of my top experiences. The positive power I felt as we marched in unity was uplifting,” she said
Dr. Brigid Morris of Davidson is marching in Charlotte with husband David. “The group of women that I’m standing with is a group called NEW—Nasty Educated Women. The crowd was amazing. Very diverse, enthusiastic and all coming together for Women’s Right/Equal Rights,” the medical doctor said. “Our hope is that this movement continues–first in North Carolina, which we desperately need, and spread throughout the USA.”
Hundreds of thousands of women are marching and rallying peacefully in Washington. Former Secretary of State John Kerry was spotted walking amongst crowds of protesters.
Natasha Marcus, who ran as a Democrat for the NC House seat formerly held by Thom Tillis, estimates upwards of 20,000 people are marching on Charlotte today. The 1.2 mile route starts near ImaginOn on E. 7th in Charlotte, the Davidson resident said.
The marches come the day after Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration to express deep-seated concerns with the policies of the 45th president.
Michelle McConnell of Cornelius is also marching. She says there are groups representing the Inclusion Community, a progressive Methodist-affiliated church in Cornelius, as well as teachers from Bradley Middle School and JV Washam Elementary.
Their hand-written signs are as simple as “Donald Trump says things that are not nice,” or “I am a warrior.” Other signs are more involved. Sentiments include “Immigrants make America great.”
There were so many people at the march today in Charlotte that some had arrived at the end point while others were still waiting to get started, Marcus said.
“It was a crowd full of passion for our rights, our democracy, inclusion, public education, abortion rights, black lives matter, and a rejection of Trump’s vision for America,” she said.
“There was no violence, just lots of energy and support for each other,” Marcus said.
The Associated Press reports that DC officials say 500,000 people came out for the Women’s March in Washington. That’s about double the amount of people who showed up to President Trump’s inauguration yesterday.
