Womxn's March 2020

Photo Source: www.sltrib.com

I rallied with supporters and marched the streets of Salt Lake City this month at the 4th Annual Womxn's March with hundreds of men and women from all over the state. This was the first time I had ever decided to be a part of a big political event that I've been curious about for a very long time. There is a nationally known Women's March that happens every January, however this march was created and organized by a group of University of Utah students and has been running since 2016.

Hundreds of people started flooding the meeting point on a cold Saturday morning. Shirts, hats, pins, flags and signs were all custom made by people anxious to march for what they believe in, ready to take it to the streets. We began our march as a cohesive unit. Our voices were loud and in unison, reverberating off the concrete and brick buildings of the city. We marched up the hill that headed straight up to the capital building. Cars and spectators were either cheering us on or yelling back at us. News reporters and photographers rushed to catch all the beautiful colors and passionate people carrying their words above their heads. We pressed on for blocks and reached the lawn of our government building and engulfed the main stairs to listen to the speakers.

I was in awe of every single speaker. Each spoke with such certainty and authority which made it easy to hang on their every word. People cheered in the crowd and clapped on powerful statements that connected with. Everyone spoke with such vigor, sharing personal stories and shocking numbers that moved through the entire crowd. Advocates for gay rights, transgender rights, Native American Women and people of all colors. It was an incredible eye opening afternoon and I felt like I really learned a lot more about the vast diversity of the people of this state.

I believe that everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe. They have the right to say and feel what they want to say and feel. The idea of awareness is such a powerful idea that not enough people give it credit. The hardest way to changing the world is changing people's minds, but it's arguably the most crucial and effective way imaginable. It was such an amazing experience to see all these people come together for a sole purpose and be open with each other and talk about the issues that face the people of our country. That feeling of togetherness and unity is something I hope we all strive for, every single day as a country, community and with everyone we come in contact with. The world needs more unity.

Thanks for Reading!

Love, Nick