A8 HEADLINES
PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY January 16 - 31 , 2017
Tinig Migrante
By E . Maestro
The women in their pink pussyhats , with their signs and placards , with their determination and solidarity with the Women ’ s March on Washington gathered at the Jack Poole Plaza and surrounding areas last Saturday , January 21 . The numbers were estimated to be between 15,000 to 20,000 people . They came with their children in tow , babies in strollers , with their husbands and partners , some of them even sporting the pussyhats . I saw indigenous women , Black women , immigrant and migrant women , LGBTQ , church women , young girls , union women , and so many more . It was a massive show of solidarity , considering its Facebook origins but the news had gone viral , helped along literally by word of mouth , texts and phone calls . The Women ’ s March on Washington – Vancouver was a testament that women can and will reach out around the world to support and protect each other .
Women and communities responded in all seven continents : Asia , Africa , North America , South America , Europe , Australia and Antarctica . Yes , Antarctica , where eco-minded women and men on an expedition ship assembled on board , held their signs in solidarity and did a small march in the Antarctic Peninsula ! From Fairbanks , Alaska to Durban , Africa , to Iraq , Mexico , and Tbilisi , Georgia , and many more cities and countries around the world , women and allies marched in the snow and in the warm , sunny weather . Women with their family and organizational networks mounted various forms of solidarity actions in support of the Women ’ s March on Washington . The images accessible on the Internet are stunning and inspiring .
Having lived in Nova Scotia with my daughter for ten years , I wanted to see the marches on the East Coast ;
Pink Pussyhats in Vancouver : Solidarity with the Women ’ s March on Washington
what I found really drove home the fact that it was not just about numbers , it was also about the fact that solidarity matters . The photo showed 12 women ( 15 if you include the toddler and the two men with them ) marching in Sandy Cove , Nova Scotia , complete with placards and pussyhats . An excellent turnout for a tiny town with a population of 65 !
The signs and slogans ( creative , thought-provoking , funny , angry , nasty , etc ) and the comments of women also showed that the marches and gatherings were more than just supporting our sisters in the US . They also highlighted local issues like the missing indigenous women in Vancouver , the attacks against immigrant and migrant women ; they were also to remind all of us that the long-standing issues of systemic racism and discrimination are around us and need to be opposed and resisted , that issues of class cannot be dismissed ,
and that Trump presidency and imperialist policies and actions of the United States affect countries and peoples outside of the United States .
Solidarity marches are not ends in themselves . It is true that events like these sometimes serve as turning points in lives and political to make them want to learn more , read and understand more , be involved and organized . For those already organized politically , this means maximizing these events to discuss issues , to raise political consciousness , to mobilize and organize . Marches , mass actions , political mobilizations are specific forms of struggle and resistance . They are not successful in themselves alone . One solidarity march does not a social or mass movement make .
The solidarity march is over . Now , the more difficult work begins , for all “ nasty women ” and more . My favourite signs : Here ’ s to strong women , May we know them , May we be them , may we raise them !
“ A Woman ’ s Place is in the Resistance ” with the background image of Princess / General Leia Organa of Star Wars , designed by Hayley Gilmore .
thinking of people . It serves
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