Women’s March raises awareness as well as questions
Students weigh in on the validity of the Women’s March
February 8, 2017
Over 500 cities in the U.S., including Indianapolis, held women’s marches on Jan. 21 following President Trump’s inauguration. The purpose was to address topics such as human rights, immigration, health care reform and environmental protection in retaliation to Trump’s policies planned.
Junior Samantha Beckham was one of thousands to attend the Indianapolis march, that took place downtown. She believes in the progression of women’s rights and decided this march was the perfect opportunity to vocalize his views.
“The more you support it and do something for your own belief, the more you can accomplish,” Beckham said.
Sophomore Alexis Zrebiec, however, disagrees with the march and what they were supporting- specifically, pro-choice abortion.
These assemblies served as an opportunity to many for their opinions to be voiced. Beckham used this chance to make herself more aware of what is going on in the U.S. and share witness other’s views. Now, the ideal question is what will happen next?
During these marches, citizens gathered together to recognize advocates, artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders according to the official women’s march website. The majority of people came prepared with signs consisting of a variety of riddles and plays on words.
Beckham believes there are a lot of people who are taking away from what citizens have progressed as a nation. With a new President in office, things are beginning to change, and some people aren’t too satisfied with the outcome.
President Trump has already made his transition of moving into the Oval Office by making reforms and stating his ideas- one of these changes regarding abortion. Now, tax dollars will not be paying for abortion. Some Americans who disagree with his proposals have protested, which resulted in the hundreds of marches around the country.
Trump has noticed these marches, but still remains to stick to his guns. He continues to go by the constitution, and allow everyone to express themselves in a non-violent way.
“Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don’t always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views,” Trump wrote in a tweet about the Washington Women’s March.
Zrebiec has been against the women’s march for quite some time. When signs were being made saying “My uterus, my choice,” she began to form an opinion. She believes the marchers protested for nothing and that it will not change President Trump’s mind.
“Trump is the president, and I don’t understand how they’re saying “He’s not my president,” Zrebiec said.
Beckham, however, sees the marches having an impact. She says that Planned Parenthood was talked about and became a subtopic of women’s health. She also explained that many people argue that the marches were specifically defending abortion, but they were about much more. In Indiana, the female body itself became a major topic.
Women’s representation in government has become somewhat of a controversial topic in the twenty-first century, but attempts to change that were made this year.
