By Shellie Turner
In Motion Staff Writer
Daytona Beach joined many other cities across the United States — and around the world — on Jan. 21 when over 100 people gathered in support of women’s rights. Many carried signs embossed with messages of solidarity and in defiance of the rhetoric coming from the Trump administration.
Women, men and children marched across the bridge at the corner of South Beach Street and International Speedway Boulevard towards the band shell with a singular message: Women’s rights are human rights.
Sharon Shifflet, a 68-year-old retiree, raised her daughter as a single parent. She said she had a “hard time financially” and was marching in support of equal pay and healthcare for women. “I am worried about my daughter and the next generation.”
Janet Carrico is no stranger to marching for a cause. She has marched against apartheid, in support of the National Education Association and in a housing march, all in Washington, D.C. Disappointed with the 2016 election, she was hoping that the march would bring people together to share ideas.
“It was up to us to make our voices heard,” she said, adding that she holds deep concerns regarding Donald Trump’s candidate for Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos.
Describing DeVos’ ideas as “out there,” Carrico was appalled by the candidate’s confirmation hearings and wanted to make a statement in the face of the Trump administration.
It was a peaceful march full of friendship and unity in sharp contrast to the divisive nature of the 2016 Presidential Campaign and inauguration protests. All across the nation and world, it was the same story, with millions of women, and men, marching in protest. No arrests or acts of violence were reported.
Ken Hunter is another who has previously marched for equal rights in Washington, D.C. He described the Jan. 21 gathering as “the first statement of opposition,” and is hoping that this event will make the Republican Party pay attention. With Trump’s presidency in its early days, only time will tell if the march will have any effect on his policies going forward.
National Public Radio recently held a forum on the various marches for women and the panel of political experts concluded that the Women’s March, as a movement, will need to focus on specific demands to make a difference and to have its power felt by the federal government. In Daytona, Orlando, New Smyrna and at the hallmark event in Washington, D.C., the agenda was as diverse as those protesting.
Participants, including many Daytona State students, faculty and staff, report the events had a festival atmosphere. In Orlando, despite the crush of 10,000 people — not to mention an impromptu parade by a small battalion of camouflaged soldiers waving American flags — no incidents were reported. It was unknown if the “soldiers” were in solidarity with the marchers or in opposition, or if they were even, in fact, veterans, but it didn’t matter. As they swiftly marches by, they were greeted with high fives and applause from the large gathering.
- Staff reports contributed to this story