From sea to shining sea, Episcopal Cafe contributing editors participated in Women’s Marches across the country on Saturday. In Roanoke, Virginia, Cara Modisett joined over 4000 other protesters, while Rev Ann Fontaine was with a crowd of over 1400 (population 9,516) in Astoria, OR. Rev. Andrew Gerns was at the march in New York City, where participants have been estimated at over 400,000. Approximately 11,000 people marched in Ann Arbor, MI, where the author and editor, Margaret Wessel Walker, took part along with several friends and her godson, who, at eight months old, was at his first ever protest.
The main Women’s March on Washington DC has been estimated at around 500,000 participants, making it the largest peaceful protest in the nation’s history. Sister marches were held across the country and around the world, on all seven continents (yes, even Antarctica!). Almost every location saw far greater turnout than expected, and in Chicago and DC, the crowds were so huge that walking was impossible. Nonetheless, people overwhelmingly reported a cheerful, polite attitude, and police have announced that no arrests were made in relation to the protests in the US.
In her blog, Cara says, “There is power in voice, power in words, power in community. In the weeks leading up to this Saturday, part of me had wished to be in D.C. for the women’s march there, but yesterday I was so glad to be in Roanoke, with friends and strangers, saying loud and clear – THIS is what we value: love, peace, justice for all; compassionate and questioning faith that respects all living things; art, literature and spoken word that deepen our souls.”
Please check out our album on Facebook for more photos from Saturday’s marches, and contribute your own!