Raging near multiple city halls throughout the country, people stood up with empowerment to be heard by all. Throughout 2017, people have spoken in forms of protests and movements to get their rights and needs met by congress and the people that form our nation.
    

“You, me, we all are America,” a sign stated during the protest against Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric on January 14th, 2017 in Washington D.C. As president Trump continues to talk about the wall along the Mexican border, the revocation of DACA, and the ban of Muslims entering the U.S., more people become weary for their future. Young adults that came into the U.S. that were just around six years old have been constantly reminded of their status as a refugee and how they lack legal permission to stay. These people were brought here by their parents at a young age, and DACA is what protected them. They have been raised to be American citizens and in 2012, Barack Obama realized the issue and formed the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Trump began to “make America great again,” by first enacting a travel ban on Muslims, putting an end to DACA as all new applicants are denied and current DACA participants can apply for a two-year renewal; which leaves the unheard tales of the wall along the Mexican border a mystery.
“We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, you can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise, you would threaten the man. Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important. Now marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support but why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same? We raise girls to see each other as competitors not for jobs or accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing, but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are. Feminist: the person who believes in the social, political, and economical equality of men.” - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The role for the female has grown beyond the society’s reproductive system, household chef, and the men’s subordinate. The Women’s March protesting have all the ladies standing tall and covering many troubled areas women face today. Followers of this rally are not asking for the demands to be fulfilled for females only, but for all people no matter what race, gender, or nationality. Everyone should have the ability to get an education. Everyone should have access to clean air, water, and be able to enjoy public lands. And Everyone should feel safe; always knowing that saying “no” is an option. 

The Women’s March was a success in getting their word out in just its first few protests. No big changes have been made yet, but these females have strong beliefs that everyone should stand by. They believe that everyone is entitled to live full, healthy lives, free from violence against their bodies. As it is a right to independently choose upon reproductive actions, the government cannot deny someone or put restrictions upon reproductive healthcare services, birth control and abortions, HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention, and accurate sexual education. Regardless of income, location, and/or education, all people should have access to these opportunities. The LGBTQIA+ rights need to allow people to be free from gender normalities, expectations, and stereotypes. Workers’ rights should be that all women are paid equitably, with access to affordable childcare, sick days, healthcare, paid family leave, and healthy work environments. This includes all workers - including domestic and farm workers, undocumented and migrant workers. Civil rights are our birthrights that include voting rights, freedom to worship without fear of intimidation or harassment, freedom of speech, and protections for all citizens regardless of race, gender, age or disability. We believe it is time for an all-inclusive Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. They believe that striving to be fully included with all disabled people and to contribute to all aspects of American life, economy, and culture. All around, women are putting up a fight for theirs and everyone’s rights. 

To conclude, a little support towards a cause can come a long way. Even if these aren’t the movements you want to support, there are many other groups that will always take another advocate. It’s not just the popular rallies that are on the news every night like the Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, or Women’s March. There are also the protestors of the Muslim Travel Ban, the people who stand with DACA that hope that the children get the education they deserve, and the people who protest Trump after declaring the immigrants are coming from the “shitholes of the world.” Within our world, people are coming together, supporting one another, and doing their very best to put an end to society’s problems so that our future generations don't have to face discrimination, loss of education, and violence.