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Sierra Club and climate activisits marching at Women's Marches across the country.
Last Saturday was a moment for the history books. The day after Donald Trump was sworn into office, millions of women and men took the streets for the largest protest in American history.
The Sierra Club was a proud partner of the march, mobilizing more than 60 chapters across 25 states. We flooded the streets in overwhelming numbers, chanting for rights, justice and equity. “Tell me what America looks like! THIS is what America looks like!” the marchers cried. They marched on. The Women’s March Unity Principles stood for a wide range of issues that impact everyone – from LGBTQIA rights to immigration rights and clean water and air. The air was electric.
Just because the march is over, doesn’t mean our work ends. We need to make sure we use this energy to build on the movement, not keep it as a moment. Here’s how:
Join! Stay informed by joining listservs, organizations and community groups that can share resources. Connecting with people in person is powerful. Join a Sierra Club rapid response team to connect with activists and events in your area.
Sign! Take action here to denounce President Trump’s attacks on women and environment. Sign up to take local action in your community against Trump at sc.org/rr.
Act! Politics is personal. Women took to the streets because their lives or the lives of their friends and families were at risk under a Trump presidency. Reflect on what brought you to the march and find a way to get more deeply involved in that issue. Do you care about clean air and water for your children? Fighting to prevent sexual assault? Protecting immigrants from undue discrimination or violence? Following your passion will keep your motivation alive. Check out sierraclub.org/gender to stay informed on issues of gender and climate.
Support! The threats of a Trump presidency affect vulnerable populations the most. Find resources on how to dismantle racism in your own lives, read the white privilege checklist, and use tools such as the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing to ensure justice is not for just us.
Talk! To build this moment into a movement it will take all of us. Talk to your friends, your sisters, your partner, neighbors and family. Share what you’ve learned, ask what gets them excited, invite them to the next rally with you. Let’s keep this momentum alive.
As Ghandi said: “You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you do nothing, there will be no results.” We took the first step. Let’s continue the march toward justice and freedom for all.