Some thoughts on the my visit to DC and the march, a month later. (Upon returning to California, I got strep throat and then a horrible cold, but it was so worth it.)

My group went in to DC Friday afternoon. What struck me was how quiet the city seemed that day and the dead, soulless eyes of the Trump zombies wandering the streets. Ok, kidding about that last bit, but I was expecting a livelier bunch. Their guy won after all. In my view that’s debatable, but Trump voters believe he did, so I’d have thought they’d be doing cartwheels. Many looked glum and dour to me even in their bright red MAGA caps. And sparse on the ground, an hour or so after the inauguration ended. Sad!

It was my first visit to DC, and I will be back to this beautiful city. We visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum, a searing and heartbreaking experience. And it’s difficult to imagine how anyone could visit and not see the similarities between Hitler’s rise to power and our current situation. I wondered, too, what was going through the minds of the MAGA-capped visitors.

The morning of the march, we drove from Baltimore to the last metro stop outside of DC, but we couldn’t even exit the highway. Never have I felt so heartened to be stuck in traffic. We parked near Howard University and walked the two miles to the march, where we couldn’t get anywhere near the stage. Again, I was glad to see so many people, not even caring that I couldn’t see Gloria or Kamala up close. We eventually got close enough to at least hear Alicia Keys, where I promptly ugly cried behind my sunglasses.

I am somewhat claustrophobic and don’t always handle crowds well. One of my favorite protest signs found online reads: “So bad, even introverts came out.” That pretty much sums it up. although I don’t let my shyness keep me home, at least not where fascism is concerned. This was by far the largest crowd I’ve ever seen, and I felt completely at ease, a testament to the power of people who come together for a larger, humanitarian purpose.

The vibe was loving, peaceful, and determined. People were polite, respectful, helpful, and hopeful. Trump and his people have characterized protestors as angry, sore losers, violent (wtf?), and my favorite, paid. So much projection! And where is my check?

Here are a few photos from the march.