Anakbayan Silicon Valley participated in the second annual Women’s March in San Jose, California on January 20, 2017. This year’s march coincided with the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States.
It was great to once again march alongside the Progressive Women of Color contingent. I had the honor of being one of the chant leaders. 
There is a lot to be said about the Women’s March and other protest actions in the age of Trump. Overall, we’re seeing an upsurge and acceptance of mass mobilizations here in the United States. It’s inspiring, and it also has quite a ways to go, but I know that our contingent helped to push the action to be more revolutionary. There were many signs at the march calling for representation, yes, but I also noticed many signs that supported DACA, called out the corporatism in our government, and demanded rights for the working class.
In the sea of pink hats and the blaring of “I’m Every Woman,” these agitating calls to action were a welcome sight.
Women (a term here meant to include immigrant, undocumented, LGBTQ+ women) face a disproportionate amount of economic hardship worldwide. Nationwide, one report states that 95% of domestic workers are women, and many have encountered unfit working conditions, wage theft, and harassment from their employers. Meanwhile, globally, 1 in 3 women will be beaten or raped during her lifetime.
Sometimes I get asked why I march. Why protest? Why take the streets?
If you look around, you know that the situation makes it so we must. I march for Jennifer. I march for Mary Jane. I march for and in honor of Jo and many other women who continue to fuel the movement, even after death.
I march for, with, and alongside my kasamas and my family. Catch us educating, organizing, and mobilizing, building that movement all the way to victory.
ANAKBAYAN SAN JOSE 