The turnout for the Women’s March on New Jersey exceeded organizers’ expectations by thousands. Every seat in the War Memorial in Trenton was filled, as was every space in the standing area. About 3,000 people crowded into the building, while thousands more stood outside on the steps and the lawn area, patiently listening to speeches via a sound system in spite of the damp weather.
More than 10,000 people attended the Trenton march from the War Memorial to the New Jersey State House, while thousands of other area residents headed to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Asbury Park to make their voices heard, calling for the protection of women’s rights. The slogan of the morning: “We won’t go back.”
Speakers called for upholding a woman’s right to choose, for rights for gays and lesbians, and the protection of immigrants and people of all religious faiths. Whenever New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s name was mentioned, the crowd booed.
On the Road
Marchers reported that there were long lines for the bathrooms at rest stops in Maryland. Some bus drivers saw how many buses were at the rest stops and decided to keep going instead of stopping. Buses parked at metro stations on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. and marchers took subways into the center of the city.
On the Bus
Hundreds of Princeton area residents boarded buses and trains headed for Washington, D.C. for the Women’s March on Saturday morning. Many other residents are marching in Trenton, New York, and Philadelphia. We will be updating this photo blog throughout the day with pictures submitted by readers. We will also be covering the Trenton March. Send your photos to editor@planetprinceton.com.
Princeton resident Andre Veloux was quick to point out the other day when we posted a headline about Princeton women uniting for the march that many men will be marching with them. Veloux, an artist, talks about why he will participate in the New York march in this Medium piece. “I want to be one of those people who said they stood up for what is right that day,” he said. “I am standing with my wife and daughter, all the women in my life who inspire me every day, and for women everywhere.”
Buses departed for Washington, D.C. from several locations across Mercer County, including the Princeton Junction train station. One Princeton resident who was compelled to take action after the November election organized her own buses. Nicole Bergman decided she would hire a bus company herself and try to fill one bus. With the help of Andrea Bergman, Jenny Ludmer and Dina Shaw, she ended up filling four buses, and there was also a waiting list.
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.