Whatever else can be said about the campaign, debates and other events leading to the blastoff of Donald Trump into the U.S. presidential cosmos, at least they have not been yawners.
Now Trump’s inauguration is shaping up as the same sort of gut-wrenching phenomenon, with the promise of massive protests on or around January 20.
The “Women’s March on Washington” set for Saturday, January 21, and the “Sister Marches” slated for spots around the world are estimated to number from 370 to 616 and are scheduled in Mexico, as well as Iraq, Ireland, Myanmar, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Tokyo and Warsaw, to name a few places. These women’s marches might be relatively tame compared to the general anti-Trump events planned for Inauguration Day itself, which include chaos-threatening actions organized by the likes of #DisruptJ20 and Antifascists of DC. Even so, organizers of women’s groups marching in Washington are educating participants about what to do in case of arrest.
In Mexico, where about 16 “Sister Marches” are set, the mood is likely to be relatively tame, considering that foreign residents here are loathe to antagonize Mexican authorities, who may not look kindly on unruly Americans.
However, some organizers stress that the demonstrations planned in Mexico, which has been a favorite target for Trump’s verbal ire, won’t consist only of foreigners.
“Local women will speak as to the progress being made in Todos Santos by women, for women — progress which impacts the entire community,” said Donna Schultz, an organizer in the small, coastal fishing and artists community in Baja California Sur, about 50 miles from Cabo San Lucas.
Indeed, the women’s demonstrations January 21 are not even touted as explicit reactions to Trump.
“It’s not an anti-Trump march, although that’s implied,” said Guadalajara resident Jude Wallesen, of a march she plans to attend in San Miguel de Allende, a haven for expatriates in the state of Guanajuato.
“We protest white supremacy … sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, denial of climate change and all other forms of intolerance,” said a statement from organizers of a march in San Pancho, Nayarit, not far from Puerto Vallarta.
The permit application for the Women’s March on Washington estimated 200,000 marchers and 1,200 tour buses have applied for parking at RFK stadium there — six times the number for parking on Inauguration Day itself. But marchers in Mexico will be many fewer.
“We are guessing somewhere between 100 and 200 people,” said Kathleen Cammarata, an organizer in San Miguel de Allende.
“We’re hoping for 100, but according to the response, it could be 1,000!” said Schultz in Todos Santos.
“Sister Marches” around Mexico will start at parks, beaches, bars, gardens, churches and community centers. Some will not “march,” but instead “stroll” or just stay at the starting location. They will consist of speeches, songs, signs, helium balloon releases and, frequently, marching.
Demonstration locations in Mexico are Ajijic, Chetumal (Quintana Roo), Campeche (Campeche), La Manzanilla (Jalisco), Loreto (Baja California Sur), Mazatlan (Sinaloa), Mérida (Yucatán), Mexico City, Oaxaca (Oaxaca), Playa del Carmen (Quintana Roo), San Miguel de Allende (Guanajuato), San Pancho (Nayarit), Todos Santos (Baja California Sur), Tuxtla Gutierrez (Chiapas) and Zihuatanejo (Guerrero). Three separate marches appear to be on tap in San Miguel de Allende.
In some cases, marchers have been asked to wear red and/or white. “Be glorious!” urged the San Pancho organizers.
Men, children and people of all nationalities have been explicitly invited to most of the events in Mexico.