GLOW Progressives will resist Trump

Photo courtesy of Amber Hainey: About 500,000 people attended the Women’s March in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21, 2017.

Editor:

“Organize, agitate, educate, must be our war cry.” Those words spoken by Susan B. Anthony were what resonated with me during the march in DC on Saturday.

The day before, I watched the inauguration and felt like I was attending a funeral for my country.  Maybe I’m being dramatic, but that is genuinely how I felt. It just didn’t seem right that this man would be leading our nation. A man who has said such horrific things about women. President Trump’s most consistent position, is how horribly he treats women.

The following day, I got ready to attend the march and was filled with a sense of purpose and power.  When I arrived, this feeling continued and dread I felt the previous day had dissipated.

My aunt and I were able to get really close to the stage for the rally while people poured in behind us.  We stood for hours watching celebrities, politicians and activists take the stage from all walks of life. I had never been to anything quite like it.

It was raw and emotional. Susan B. Anthony’s words stayed with me through the day, “organize, agitate, educate.”  While the rally went on, it became more clear to me as to why we were doing this, the most important part of that mantra, “agitate.” You must agitate to get attention of people, so that you may have an opportunity to educate.

What I found most helpful about the rally and march was that for the first time, I was exposed to other groups that I did not feel I had commonality with.

The march helped me to see that we all have a common goal and platform.  It was an opportunity for all of us to come together and commit to helping others.

The big question now is what are we supposed to do? The most consistent advice I have received is to join up, make connections and get involved.

I recently joined a motivated group called GLOW Progressives who are looking to activate and motivate progressive minded people in the GLOW region. Our goals are to resist President Trump and his policies.  We also want to identify potential candidates who will represent our positions and also support those who are of progressive thought.

Thank you.

Amber Hainey

GLOW Progressives