Everything that happened at the Women’s March in Athens

‘You haven’t seen nasty yet’

Across the nation, women gathered and marched to make their concerns known about new to office President Donald Trump. Here in Athens, people rallied together around the statue of Athena to make their voices heard.

Though the weather threatened rain and the sky was a gloomy grey, people from all over Athens gathered around the grand statue of Athena outside the Classic Center to protest President Donald Trump’s stance on women’s rights on Saturday, January 21st. Beginning at 4:00 pm, nearly 700 students, professors, families, women and men congregated to exercise their first amendment rights.

A father and his daughters happily participating in the family-friendly rally

A mother and her children sporting rain gear and holding signs proudly

People shared posters and streamers they made, sported painted banners and wore knitted “pussy” hats proudly as they stood around the statue listening to Kate Van Cantford speak welcoming words. Cantford, the official host of the event, greeted everyone and welcomed them as “fellow feminist brothers and sisters”.

Kate Van Cantford greets those gathered

Myself and some of my friends gathered to participate and stand up for what we believe in

Due to the limits of the permit received, the crowds’ marching was limited to a rectangular pattern around the statue as opposed to through down town.

However, this did not put a dent in anyone’s spirit or pride! Protesters proudly marched in the repetitive pattern hoisting signs that read “Feminism is for every body” , “Our bodies, Our mind, Our power” , “You haven’t see nasty yet”, and so many more. 

Chants were shouted right and left, the sound echoing off the buildings surrounding the demonstration. Phrases like “Let love rule.”, “My body, my choice. My nation, my voice.” , “We want a leader, not a creepy tweeter”, “Educate. Advocate. Agitate.” and so many others rang out.

People sang songs together in the middle of the circling marchers. Instruments were played, everything from the guitar to a pot and wooden spoon.

The crowd was empowered with the positivity and the community felt because they were there, just as so many were gathered across the nation, making a statement about the need for America to change, to make a difference.

The marching continued for over an hour. People gathered at their windows at the Hilton Garden Inn across the streets. Some waved and cheered in support and others did not. Cars honked as they drove by and cheered at the windows. A few people drove by and stood by shouting “Trump” , but it was short-lived, drowned out by the rally.

As the rally came to an end, the permit only allowing for a gathering an hour and a half in length, the protesters gathered around the base of Athena as local poets read empowering poetry.

Local poet reading her poem to the attentive crowd.

To finish off an already powerful protest, Cantford closed by saying “We create community, we create relationships. We create the world we want. It is not always easy, but it is necessary. Today I stand with you, Athens, and love wins. Thank you”.

Those gathered cheered and chanted “Love Wins”  the last couple minutes of the time allowed by the permit.

Cantford cheering with the crowd

Being a part of the rally was an empowering and uplifting experience, for me. The environment was positive and supportive. Even though it was a small demonstration compared to the one in Washington D.C, we spoke our minds and stood for what we believed in along with the hundreds of thousands of others elsewhere.

This rally was an important moment for this community in Athens. It brought people together of similar hearts and minds to stand behind a movement important to millions  in a truly democratic way.

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