By Klaudine Caday
EBC Florida Bureau
ORLANDO, FL (Eagle News) — Equal pay, pro-choice, sexual harassment, equal opportunities for women, and recent allegations against President Trump were just a few of the topics for discussion at sites for the 2018 Women’s March.
A year following Trump’s inauguration and the first Women’s March, millions of women from different backgrounds and beliefs gathered in cities around the world to let their voices be heard. Some of these cities were Orlando and Tampa Bay in Florida where thousands of women had gathered for their citywide women’s marches.
Included in this group of women was Alison Holmes, who had a negative view of Trump and his message firsthand. She had accompanied her son, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, to one of Trump’s rallies.
“He protested a Trump rally right before the election and got thrown out by Trump, mocked by Trump, had riled the crowd to chant USA,” Holmes recalled. “They kicked, they shoved at his wheelchair.”
She hadn’t thought that it would be as “savage” or as “despicable” as it was.
There were also several booths set up around the march in Orlando, Florida that eased the access for potential voters to register for the 2018 Midterm Elections. The midterm elections in the United States occur every four years as the presidential elections do. Americans vote for state governors, representatives, and senator during these elections.
The 2018 midterm elections have such a heavy focus due to the potential of voting in representatives that will balance the Democrats and Republicans in the federal government.
“I disagree so strongly with the way Trump is devouring our country” Holmes said, “and the GOP is enabling him, and I want to show a message that November 2018, things are going to be different.”
A popular opinion among the marchers was that it doesn’t have to take impeachment to make America great again while others hoped for a change of heart and of mind in the President.
“Represent all the people, not just your base. We need representation for everyone, from all of government,” Barbara Ventarola, another Women’s March participant, demanded of Trump.
Within the year that separates the two marches, there has been more emphasis on the societal changes women have been pushing in these marches. Now, with the Midterm Elections coming up many are waiting to see how will the future administration would tackle these issues brought during the Women’s March.
