Thousands of women attended the Women’s March in Washington and other cities across the United States Saturday to encourage Americans to vote President Donald Trump out of office and to protest the Supreme Court nomination of conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett following the death of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
“It’s not just enough to say we are going to stop Trump, said Women’s March executive director Rachel O’Leary at the beginning of the Washington rally. “It’s more to say that we’ll have to fulfill the promise of this country to all of us. And it’s up to each one of us to inaugurate ourselves, to bring that future to bear. Allow it!”
An unnamed woman who attended the rally told VOA, “We are here today because we believe our democracy is what’s at stake, and we recognize the power of women to bring about change in this country.” She added, “We also recognize our privilege, that we can be here is a testament to the privilege that we have and with that privilege comes responsibility to speak out, to stand up.”
The march in Washington ended with a text telethon designed to send 5 million text messages encouraging people to vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election.
Hundreds of similar rallies and events took place Saturday throughout the country, with some taking place virtually or via car caravan because of the pandemic. One march was held at Cornell University, where Ginsburg attended college.
A counter-protest organized by a conservative women’s group also took place Saturday in Washington at the Supreme Court. The Independent Women’s Forum held an “I’m With Her” rally in support of Barrett’s confirmation.
Senate Republicans plan to vote this week to move Barrett’s nomination out of committee. The full senate is expected to vote on the nomination during the week of Oct. 26. Barrett’s approval would give the court a 6-3 conservative majority. Democrats have expressed concern that Barrett could vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark ruling upholding a woman’s right to an abortion.
