women's march la 

Jan 20.2017

I've had the privilege of attending numerous rallies throughout my life, and they've consistently been a powerful and emotional experience, brimming with energy, hope, and sometimes, expressions of anger and frustration. One of the most memorable experiences from my teenage years was witnessing the epic pre-revolutionary rallies in Tehran, Iran, which ultimately led to the exile of the last king, the Shah.

As I grew older, I found inspiration in the stories of heroes like Mahatma Gandhi and Reverend Martin Luther King and their legendary rallies. In the early eighties, the "Anti-Nuclear March in New York City" stood out as one of the most impactful rallies I've ever witnessed. To the best of my recollection, it played a significant role in the government's decision to sign a nuclear armament treaty with Russia.

The "Women's March in LA Jan 20,2017" was a unique experience, especially for a city like Los Angeles. What struck me immediately was the unexpected turnout; it overwhelmed basic civic services like phone and transportation  and there was a surprising lack of media coverage. Police cordoned off streets around Pershing Square, the epicenter of the rally, and the crowd was so dense that it was nearly impossible to get closer than one block from the main stage.

The majority of participants were middle-class middle-aged families, predominantly women who appeared well-educated and held high-paying jobs. Many attended with their children, and I was surprised to see so many strollers in the densely crowded area. They were there with their husbands, partners, and friends, standing up for their children and grandchildren, for their sisters and girlfriends.

At a first glance, the issues of "the right to decide about one's own body," "healthcare system," and "environmental concerns" took center stage. The way we treat our wives, mothers, sisters, and our planet—Mother Earth—seemed intricately connected. 

One particularly refreshing aspect was the abundance of handcrafted signs, each conveying a unique message, reflecting the diversity of the participants and their concerns.

In my humble opinion, it's a grave mistake for anyone to dictate how these women should manage their own bodies. We are fortunate in America to have the freedom to stand up for our rights and beliefs, to express our convictions through protests and advocacy.

.mosa2017 La