From Hear Our Voices rally in St Paul. #WomensMarch2018 pic.twitter.com/mPHq3pjdej
— Teri Mach Ryan (@tweeteritweet) January 21, 2018
One year ago, over five million of people from around the world took to the streets as part of the history-making Women’s March. The protest was against the newly-inaugurated Trump administration and all it stood for, and it helped ignite a spark for change in 2017. The anniversary of this event did not pass quietly. Like the year before, women and men marched in protest of policies they find unconstitutional, discriminatory, and harmful to the most vulnerable Americans. In a sea of people, individuals made their voices heard with signs—many of them featuring witty words that cleverly conveyed their opposition to President Trump.
Pop culture often made an appearance on signs throughout the march. Hermione from the Harry Potter series was found in the crowds this year as an example of good triumphing over evil, while Batman was seen slapping Trump silly. “Stop tweeting!” the superhero implores.
While there were less visible memes than the Women’s March 2017, some of the best signs combined levity with heartfelt expressions that convey the real reasons for the event. In just a few words, they remind us to demand equality and vote in the midterm elections to help change the tide of government. Voting, in fact, was the focus of this year’s anniversary march. The Power to the Polls initiative marks how the “next stage of the movement will channel the energy and activism of the Women’s March into tangible strategies and concrete wins in 2018.” If you’re over 18 and not registered to vote in the U.S., head here to find out how you can participate in this civic duty.