Jan 22, 2017

A sign held aloft by Charissa Afshar, 58, of Denver, CO, at the Women’s March on Washington, said simply, “So much wrong. So little cardboard.” Many protesters who came to the Women’s March on Washington, and other demonstrations held the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, were not restrained in expressing their views. Colorful signs were everywhere, with pointed messages countering Trump’s campaign statements, his goals, and the election outcome. Sexism and reproductive rights dominated, but the messages espoused a wide array of progressive ideals, particularly concerns about hate speech, fascism and the future of democracy and the world. Even a Trump supporter, Mercedes Mejia of Fort Myers, FL, said, “I absolutely support protesting for your views.” Here are some of the voices from the Women’s March on Washington.

: Maya Chay, 25, traveled from Kenai, Alaska to attend the Women’s March on Washington and deliver this message, “I traveled 4,330 miles to show you that I’m paying attention.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Charissa Afshar, 58, of Denver, CO summed up her frustrations simply with a sign at the Women’s March on Washington that said, “So much wrong. So little cardboard,” and commented: “Persistence. It’s just the beginning.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Ashlin Treadway, of North Attleboro, MA, came with a Unitarian Universalist Church group to the Women’s March on Washington. Her sign said, “America needs a LEADER not a Tweeter. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Chenita Farmer, 36, brought her nieces Kezia and Imani Temateu, ages 6 and 4, to the Women’s March on Washington. Farmer said about her nieces: “I want them to have a future, to be able to go to the doctor and not have to worry about it.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Courtney Doerschel, 24, came to the Women’s March on Washington from Los Angeles, CA, proud to be part of the “Resistance.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Barbara Takenaga, of New York City, holding a sign that reads, “I’M STILL WITH HER,” said “I’m demonstrating against Trump, a Fascist and a sexist. Takenaga added, “He is not my president.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Christine Piazza, 16, left, with her mother, Suzanne Piazza, of Litchfield, CT, was seeking respect at the Women’s March on Washington. Christine said, “A lot of the time people view women’s issues as a distraction. They need to know how much it matters. We are half the country.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Ell Farnon, 46, of San Francisco, participating in the Women’s March on Washington with a sign inspired by Trump comments, said, “I never thought I would have to be here doing this.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Elaine Sarao, 66, left, from the DC area, and Beverly Friedman, 72, of Brooklyn, NY, sit by the reflecting pool across from the Capitol. Sarao said, “Mr. Trump is illegitimate, and is a danger to America and the world.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Krissy Wesolowski, of Baltimore, held a sign that said, “Hate won’t make America Great” at the Women’s March on Washington. She added, “The reason Trump is in office is because he really used hate to fuel people’s fears.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Mary Wallace, 32, of Chicago, painted a blue jumpsuit with messages, including “RESIST” in large letters, to wear to the Women’s March on Washington. Wallace said, “The biggest thing for me is showing love to all people. Being here is my way of doing that.” (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: Mercedes Mejia came from Fort Myers, FL, to celebrate the inauguration. During the Women’s March on Washington, she visited a small gathering of Bikers for Trump, where she said, “I absolutely support protesting for your views. I had some great conversations with a few people, and some that were hateful.” (Amy Davis /Baltimore Sun)

Voices from the Women’s March on Washington

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