Unless you have been living under a rock, or in another country, then you’re aware that today is the one year anniversary of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.

While this day holds importance for different reasons to different people, it has had the biggest impact on women, minorities, and those who Donald Trump has either threatened or directly harmed in the past 360 days.

It officially marks one full year that Trump has remained in office, and has yet to be impeached.

Because of this, and the harm many feel Trump has caused, cities all across the nation held celebrations for a different occasion: the one year anniversary of the Women’s Marches that were held during Trump’s first week in office.

Some major cities to participate in this years marches were Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Park City, Washington D.C., Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

Thousands of women also took to the streets of Montreal, Canada, and Rome, Italy to stand in solidarity with American’s and equal rights activists from all over the globe, including actress Asia Argento, one of Harvey Weinstein’s first accusers.

While the purpose and effect of these events is not lost on those who have participated in either this year’s or the previous year’s marches, the massive protests have seemingly confused both Trump supporters and Trump alike- who seem to believe that the marches are actually in his honor, rather than in his protest.

However, many women and protest attendees were quick to shut Trump’s idea down, with tweets such as:

https://twitter.com/kyungkarenmend1/status/954830048321654785

https://twitter.com/Sergio_Septum/status/954817877424660484

and of course,

But while Trump and his supporters continue to be confused about his lack of support, it is important for others, such as the apathetic and the equally confused, to be made aware of why marches happen and why they matter.

The answer is simple: unity.

While marches in themselves effectively do “nothing”- they don’t change the 2016 results, they don’t change who is in the house/senate, and they don’t always change other people’s minds- they serve the bigger purpose of showing America just how united women and minorities are.

They help remind Republicans, and Trump supporters, that their time in power is limited because the rest of us will not stop fighting.

By attending marches, either this year or last, Americans (and Rome and Montreal) are reminding everyone that this is a fight that will not end. It will not go quietly into the night, but rather screaming until the sun comes up so it can start again the next day.

They show the government just how many people care.

Marches = numbers, and numbers = power.

The more people who attend marches, or who support marches by making donations or volunteering (if like myself, you could not attend the bigger events), the more of an impact there is on the community.

But beyond numbers and widespread unity, the more recent marches are also helping to give voices to those who are not listened to elsewhere.

To women/people of color, to victims or rape, or to minorities/immigrants who are all fighting for their rights under the Trump administration, marches are a way for them to be seen and heard.

They are the beginnings of a platform for equality that the government HAS to listen to.

This ability to have this voice is especially important in today’s climate.

In light of the recent #MeToo movement, much of the focus of today’s marches was on victims of assault, and many of the events had celebrities come to share their stories and words of empowerment.

“When I raise my hand I am aware of all of the women who are still in silence, the women who are faceless, the women who don’t have the money or the constitution and who don’t have he confidence and who don’t have the images in our media that gives them a sense of self worth,” actress/activist Viola Davis shared at the Los Angeles event.

In New York, singer Halsey shared her own experiences through a heartbreaking poem.

“It’s Olympians and a medical resident and not one fucking word from the man who is President
It’s about closed doors and secrets and legs and stilettos from the Hollywood hills to the projects in ghettos
When babies are ripped from the arms of teen mothers and child brides cry globally under the covers
Who don’t have a voice on the magazine covers
They tell us take cover

But we are not free until all of us are free
So love your neighbor, please treat her kindly
Ask her story and then shut up and listen
Black, Asian, poor, wealthy, trans, cis, Muslim, Christian
Listen, listen and then yell at the top of your lungs
Be a voice for all those who have prisoner tongues
For the people who had to grow up way too young
There is work to be done
There are songs to be sung
Lord knows there’s a war to be won”

-Halsey. January 20, 2018. New York City.

In Rome, Asia Argento, one of the first women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, asked the crowd to stand with her in solidarity, by raising their hands if they’ve ever experienced abuse.

“I’d like to see how many of you today acknowledge that you have put up with abuse, by raising your hands. And not just sexual. Abuse of power. Because we are women, because we don’t have power,” she requested.

While these messages resonate with especially women, Women’s Marches are not for women alone.

Protestors fight for not only women, but people of all races, shapes, sizes, immigration statuses, and Americans who hope for a better future.

However, the movement does not go uncriticized, and there is room for some major improvements.

As some women and other advocates pointed out, for many minorities, the Women’s March doesn’t help as much as it appears to.

As the New York Times noted in their article on today’s events, some people skipped out on the march due to it’s apparent “whiteness,” and lack of acknowledgment of people of color, immigrants, and other minorities.

“I hope that the women who are at this rally are also going to the next Black Lives Matter protest, or marching on behalf of DACA,” Nadya Agrawal, who attended last years protests, told the Times, voicing her concerns that this rally would be the last one of the year for many of the marchers.

Another activist, Deandra Jefferson, told the Times that she felt that the march “caters mostly toward middle class, straight white women,” and that, “they should stop organizing these marches until they decide what they’re going to do the other 364 days of the year.”

https://twitter.com/ztsamudzi/status/954830205331243008

While many may feel a need to jump to their own defenses upon hearing these remarks, it is these criticisms that must be heard in order to further unite the protestors and activists in attendance.

Especially since all of the Women’s March issues affect all women- not just white ones.

Marchers must not only march for the causes that help them, but also those who help their companions and fellow marchers.

To get equality for ourselves, we must fight for equality for all.

It is for this reason that attending marches, Women’s, BLM, DACA, and others in your neighborhoods is important. Expressing your voice for not only your own needs, but for those around you.

This particular point is where men come in, too.

The march may have been called the “Women’s March,” but it is not only for or about women.

Men are actually aided by these efforts as well- for the march is to help promote equality, not superiority, and by attending and supporting the women around them, men are not only helping women but also helping themselves.

However, much like with white folks at rallies for people of color, there is a fine line between supporting and suppressing, and it is a line that both parties must be cautious of.

Carrying signs, and attending events? Great.

Giving speeches telling women/POCs about the issues they face, thus taking the mic away from someone who has lived experience? Not so great.

And to be clear, this message is for the men who have no lived experiences with oppression, who can voice their opinions to the masses any time of any day without any repercussion. (I’m looking at you, straight middle class/rich white guys)

You can feel free to voice your thoughts, any other time- but at a women’s march that is centered around the female experience? Not the best idea.

https://instagram.com/p/BeMPw0JBppQ/

Show up, wear a button, carry a sign (like the guy in the photo above), bring your daughters, and help the women around you protest- but do not take away their voice by over vocalizing your own. (Same goes for white folks attending BLM rallies.)

Just remember, solidarity in numbers is the first step to making waves and making change.

Unity leads to equality.