This past weekend, Ukiah High School students Jude Rodriquez and Gwynivere Rosenburg drove across the country to attend the Women’s March in Washington D.C. held on October 17th. The couple accompanied Rodriquez’s mother, Alicia Bales, the program director at local radio station KZYX, because she was invited to report live at the Women’s March. Rodriquez described the trip as “pretty rushed”, but it was worth it because they “got to see Washington D.C.” and be a part of the historic Women’s March.
WomensMarch.com explained this event brought thousands of protesters together in the city. Demonstrations in the time of the pandemic required precautions to be taken and masks were worn, and hand sanitizer stations were lined up along the march route. Around the United States, women marched together, focusing this year on bringing awareness to the current threats facing women’s reproductive rights.
According to Allure magazine, unlike the Women’s March in 2017, there was less focus on big name and celebrity speakers this year, though at sister marches around the country some notable politicians spoke, including U.S. representative Barbara Lee at the Oakland Women’s March.
While in Washington D.C., Rosenburg spoke of meeting and marching with famous folk-rock singer Ani Difranco and many other amazing women in town. They were also able to visit with a documentary camerawoman who was capturing the march that is scheduled to come out soon. Along the march route, Rodriquez and Rosenburg were also able to visit the National Mall and the Lincoln Memorial.
Overall, even though it was a quick and impromptu trip with little downtime, Rodriquez and Rosenburg both say they would do it again.
