Women's March

The reason I reconceptualized this blog was feeling so cut off from events in the U.S., helpless to do anything about anything.  So, as so many people I know were preparing to march in Washington or closer to home, here I sat again, unable to participate.

WELL . . . Sarah of the Jubilee House suddenly up and decided yesterday that she needed to be a presence today outside the U.S. embassy in Managua.  Did anybody want to go with her?  Most of us from Jubilee House wanted to, including both Kathleen's mother and Becca's mother, our long-term volunteer Grace, and four Nicaraguan women from our personnel staff.  Sarah, Grace, and Becca sent out announcements on a couple of lists they belong to.

And this morning, on less than 24-hour notice, we had a group of FIFTY PEOPLE standing outside the U.S. embassy with signs of solidarity and protest.  Mostly women, but an impressive number of men, one of whom had a sign that said, "Real men are feminists."  Mostly folks from the U.S., but a good representation of Nicaraguans as well.  A number of children (our two Jubilee House children included, of course), the littlest of whom had a sign that said, "Be tolerant of unicorns and all living beings."  Saturday morning -- there probably weren't very many people in the actual embassy to notice us.  But we held up our signs for passing vehicles, and when a driver tooted her or his support, we sent back a rousing cheer.

It was really nice to feel part of a group of people, all come together to say "no" to our nightmare visions of what the Trump administration could be and "yes" to unity, respect, and solidarity.

The media showed up and took pictures and interviewed as many people as they could.  I translated for Peggy, Kathleen's mom, who was there in her wheelchair.  She avowed that when people were equal, things went better.  The reporter then asked me why I was there.  I said, "I'm afraid of what might happen in the Trump administration.  So I'm here to express . . . " and then since I was speaking Spanish, I concluded, "el pueblo unido jamas sera vencido."  Which means a united people can never be defeated.  The reporter gave me a huge smile for that one.

Here's a picture.  I am the tubby little woman with the red shirt and long blue and white skirt.  Many people were wearing pink (one woman had even improvised herself a pussy hat), but I decided red-white-and-blue was the way to go for this one.

And all because Sarah up and decided to go.  Puts me in mind of Margaret Meade's famous quote:  Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

P.S.  A friend of mine tried to comment on my last entry, and her comments kept vanishing.  If anybody else has the same experience or a different one, let me know.  I can't see anything amiss in my settings.  Thanks!