BCL Stands With Women

Saturday, January 21st made history as over one million women and allies marched on Washington DC to stand up for the rights of US Citizens, immigrants, women, children, LGBTQIA, people with disabilities, sexual assault survivors and more who stand to lose those rights under the new administration. (Read more about the Women’s March Mission & Vision here). We here at BCL proudly stand with the Women’s March. We’ve reached out to our members and asked them to share their experiences. A bunch of our members marched here in NYC, in DC and elsewhere. We are so proud to have members who share our values of inclusion, equality, and non-violence. For more information on how you can join the movement visit https://www.womensmarch.com/

“This weekend was such a powerful experience. For several weeks after the election I felt traumatized and frozen by fear, but on Saturday as I marched in Washington I felt a restored sense of hope, peace — JOY even!

I was overwhelmed to be a part of such a diverse group of American people standing up for what they believe and most importantly putting their bodies in space with other bodies, aligning their actions with their beliefs. There is nothing more powerful than showing up with my body and voice to stand in solidarity with others.

However, this is still the beginning of a movement and I am aware that to keep the nation in conversation we must stay mobilized by setting the intention to find daily actions of resistance, LOVE, solidarity, and kindness. I hope as a community here at Brooklyn Creative League we can inspire one another to stay mobilized and support one another along the way.” – Jordan

“After a difficult two months post-election, it was more heartening than I could have imagined to see the crowds in DC – and to be surrounded by a crowd that was inclusive and intersectional, peaceful and loving, but also angry and ready to work to Donald Trump every step of the way for the next 4 years.” – Elizabeth (DC)

“I’ve been an activist for over 30 years and this was the largest demonstration I’ve participated in. This is also the first big march or demonstration I’ve been at where due to the size of the crowd, I never saw a single other person I know during the day — and literally hundreds of friends and colleagues + 3 different national organizational contingents I was connected to were all at the march!”- Cynthia (DC)

“I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere but in D.C. that day, marching alongside people who don’t just pay lip service to gender equality but who recognize we’re simply not there yet and that silence will not save us.

There’s really no better feeling than knowing you’re on the right side of history.”- Brittany (DC)

“The day was a great opportunity to talk about the rights Americans enjoy, the sacrifices made to secure them, and our responsibility to protect those rights as best we can.” – Heather (NYC)

“After months of feeling depressed and helpless in the face of impending doom, it felt really good to bond together with others and do something positive toward change and hope. We marched with the NYCLU and spent about 3 hours packed in with a lot of people before the march finally got underway. The police had to come and completely close off the street we were on (2nd) because there were so many people, clearly they hadn’t expected to shut traffic down as much as they did. But even the waiting wasn’t a problem, we felt surrounded by goodness.” – Jade (NYC)

BCL Member Rachel wrote a beautiful essay on her experience in DC this weekend and you can read it on her website here

“I marched in New York with my three kids because I wanted them to know that all the values they have learned in the past few years will not be compromised by fear and populism – and because I wanted them to know that we always stand up for ourselves and for others when we know something is not right.” – Rebecca R.

“What struck me about the New York City march was how joyful it was. After weeks of post-election despair, culminating in Trump’s dark and angry inaugural address, it was exhilarating to be a part of something so massive and positive. Yes, the administration can try to militarize our culture in an effort to repress dissent, but they will lose if citizens refuse to give in. Don’t get me wrong: There’s a strong likelihood that people of conscience will be jailed and beaten for standing up to this regime. But our ancestors–citizen soldiers, union organizers, civil rights protesters, queer activists–have been through far worse. We’ll make it through.” – Neil (NYC)