Women’s March San Jose joined hundreds of marches held across the United States on Jan. 19. Signs and chants from marchers reflected the various causes close to their hearts. For the third anniversary of the march, organizers picked the theme Truth to Power.
“This is what democracy looks like,” cried the marchers.
Elderly couples held hands and marched peacefully alongside high-spirited teenagers. Families wore matching pink beanies. Children in strollers or on adults’ shoulders held up signs with statements like, “In 16 years I will vote” and “Nasty woman in training.” Some marchers even brought their dogs adorned with signs.
Along the march route, attendees were greeted by songs and live music from sidewalks.
On the sunny and uncharacteristically warm winter day, marchers made the almost one-mile trek from San Jose City Hall to the Arena Green East near the SAP Center. Booths, food trucks and a DJ greeted them at the end of their journey.
Speakers included SoGal Ventures founder Taarini Kaur Dang. Dang is just 14 years old but stood on the Women’s March stage and delivered a speech alongside women like newly-elected Milpitas Vice Mayor Karina Dominguez and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
According to march organizers, “Truth to Power is a celebration of this past year’s Women’s Wave, where over 100 women were elected to Congress — of various ethnicities, religions and age groups. They spoke their truth in their campaigns, and now wield power in our nation’s capital.”
And, addressing the elephant in the room, speakers didn’t shy away from the anti-Semitism controversy that has rocked the national Women’s March organization. Jenny Higgins Bradanini, President of Women’s March Bay Area and lead organizer of Women’s March San Jose, echoed the thoughts shared in a statement last month.
“I want to make some things clear,” said Higgins Bradanini. “I want you all to know that Women’s March San Jose is an independent organization. We are our own leadership. We do not receive any funding or resources from Women’s March Inc. We are solely funded by you, our community… I want you to know that the recent controversy has saddened me deeply. Especially that our Jewish sisters have been hurt by the chaos. Hate has no home here. Anti-Semitism has no home here.”
Basking in the California sun, women with their allies and supporters enjoyed the camaraderie of another Women’s March in the bag.