Why did I march?

Posted on Ordinary Times:
http://ordinary-gentlemen.com/2017/01/26/a-march-about-everything-and-nothing/

I marched in Chicago. I signed up and trained as a marshal, because I wanted to be sure (as much as could be assured) that the march was peaceful and uneventful.

There was a lot of change and chaos. Initially, the march was planned for 10,000. By the Sunday before it had grown to 30,000 and there was more marshal training scheduled. By Wednesday, the estimate was 50,000. By Saturday at 9am, it was 100,000. The final count (by the Chicago Tribune) was 250,000.
As has been remarked, there were no arrests, violence, vandalism, etc.

For me, the main reason to march was to show a peaceful presence. The right to peacefully assemble is in the Constitution. When I feared that other rights were threatened, I could start by exercising that one.

What comes next? Each person needs to decide for themselves. The organizers of the march in Washington are planning “10 actions in 100 days” https://www.womensmarch.com/100/, encouraging each person to pick one or two items to concentrate on, and then work to support those things that are important to them. I’ve picked two, others will pick different ones. The point (for me) is to be more engaged and active.

What’s been happening? So many people are calling their representatives that it’s hard to get through. There’s been what I think is a significant number of women trying to find out how to run for office. When at a local meeting, I made a point of talking to my alderman and state senator about the two issues that are important to me. I’ve called my senators and house rep with my concerns.

The fact that each day more horrible things are coming out of Washington D.C. is disheartening and frightening. And the items that get all the news serve to distract from the other changes that are even more hateful and destructive.
By taking peaceful, constructive, deliberative action, I choose to believe that I can change things.
That’s why I marched.