On Saturday, Jan. 18, a group of over 300 people gathered on the sidewalk corner of the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, N.Y. for the People’s March. They began to arrive at 11 a.m., and continued trickling in to join the crowd standing in the sculpture garden as it rained. Once enough people were there, a group picture was taken, a speech was given, and the crowd proceeded down University and Atlantic Avenue for an approximately half mile walk to Three Heads Brewing.

This group of protesters joined hundreds of other People’s March chapters throughout the country, a movement reacting to the inauguration of Donald Trump and the loss of rights the protestors expect within legislation. The march had been first titled the ‘Women’s March,’ but had been changed for inclusivity.

The Rochester chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) organized the march. Various organizations sponsored the event: Rochester’s Sexual and Reproductive Task Force, the Party for Socialism and Liberation of the Finger Lakes, Planned Parenthood of Western New York, New Pride Agenda and the Penfield Democrats. These organizations have been known to campaign for various liberal causes, including sexual and reproductive health, worker’s rights, justice for those in the queer community and — as the Penfield Democrats state on their website — “defending the American dream.” The Party for Socialism and Liberation provided event security.

Nadia Schaubroeck, the chapter secretary, said, “We are marching for human rights of all kinds today. So for rights for healthcare… rights to make decisions about our own bodies, transgender rights, rights for people of color, police brutality, equal pay… we want the community to know that we’re here.”

Schaubroeck stood atop a waist-height stone wall and gave a short speech about the cause. She said, “Our family and friends should not be afraid to leave their homes due to their sexual orientation, the color of their skin, or [fear of] being sexually assaulted. Our families should not have to work two or three jobs, or start GoFundMes to pay for their medical bills.”

Felisha Buchinger, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, followed Schaubroeck’s speech with a call to action. Once Schaubroeck had stepped down from the wall, Buchinger stepped up with a microphone in hand, shouting encouraging slogans in a call-and-response format, stating “the people united… will never be defeated!”

Buchinger then led the crowd — each holding signs they had made or taken from a pile of free signs — across the street and down toward Three Heads Brewing. As they walked the half-mile, Buchinger marched at the front, using her microphone to shout more call-and-response protest slogans. Further down the line, others did the same.

Once at the brewery, the protesters gathered to hear one last speech thanking both protesters and sponsors for their donations and attendance. Some went inside to get warm drinks and food, while others dispersed.

Many were surprised by the amount who had gathered. “We were debating how many people would show up,” said Joanne Guarnere, a protester. “…we said that hundreds… it has to be hundreds.”

Among the protesters were many older women, who stated they were there for the rights of their children or grandchildren. Judi Lutz Woods, a protester dressed as the Statue of Liberty, said, “I have grandchildren… I want them to grow up in a free country… especially with my granddaughter, I want her to have every right that I’ve had.”

Several older women also mentioned feeling that the battles they had fought to gain rights were being reversed. Emily Jamberdino, another protestor, mentioned, “I’ve been fighting since the 1960s for some of these things, and it’s just discouraging to see that so many things have taken the way back. So, that makes me just really sad.” Guarnere mentioned feeling disheartened  as well, saying, “I’m afraid we’re going backwards to the 20s.”

However, a great number of protesters mentioned feeling a sense of hope. Woods stated with excitement, “I love seeing the young people here, and being active, and really standing up for their rights, [they] just aren’t letting it go.”

Guarnere agreed. “It’s been great, you know, to see so much energy,” she said. “And especially the young people out here. I think it is so important.”