The day after the inauguration, Jan. 21, 2017, is going to be the most important day of the year. It's the day of the Women's March on Washington, which will start at 10 a.m., at the corner of Independence Ave and Third Street SW in D.C. It's then that hundreds of thousands of women and men, including a boatload of celebrities, will descend upon the nation's capital to show the new administration that we're not OK with the incoming president, Donald Trump, or the plans that they have for our future.
Getting to D.C. isn't easy for everyone. For starters, trains from the Boston and New York City area to D.C. booked up pretty damn fast, and because it is inauguration weekend, airlines are capitalizing on that by upping their airfare. Not to mention that hotel vacancy isn't just scarce, but non-existent. Because of these things, people who want to attend might not be able to do so.
There's also the fact that some of us have other obligations and, as much as we'd love to be there, just can't make it. But you know what? That's OK! You don't have to be in D.C. to show your support for those who are marching. Instead, you can do these nine things to let the marchers know you have their back.
1Join A Sister March
There are over 600 Sister Marches all over the world. There's at least one in every one of the 50 states and 32 countries will be holding marches, too. If you can't make it to D.C., but want to march, find a Sister March near you and go.
2Help Make Signs
To properly prepare for a march, one should always include a sign on their list of must-haves. So if you can't make it to D.C. or if the closest march in your state is so faraway that you simply can't get to it, then help make signs for those who are attending. It's a great way to not just show support, but to have an excuse to buy sparkles and paints to make an inspirational sign that really stands out — says the girl who bought every sparkly paint under the sign for her signs.
3Donate Gas Money
If you know people who are headed to D.C. or any of the Sister Marches by car, then chip in gas money. Depending on how far these marchers have to drive, that gas money will be a welcomed relief to their wallet.
4Order Food For The Marchers
Marchers are going to be hungry! Because this is the case, check out restaurants along the march routes, grab your credit card, and order up some food to be delivered to the those who are marching. It will be greatly appreciated!
5Participate Online
For those who can't attend, there are ways to "march" with online activities. The Disability March, The Love-A-Thon, and #MarchingWithMe are all online ways to make you feel like you're part of the action, as well as giving you another opportunity to show your support.
6Watch Coverage Of The March
Although as to what channels will be covering the march are still up in the air, there will definitely be coverage of it. The website Democracy Now!, for example, will be live streaming it, as will the official website of the march. Be sure to check your local listings Saturday morning for more options.
7Rock Some Sex-Positive Attire
You don't have to be marching on Saturday to adorn yourself in sex-positive, feminist attire and accessories. So toss on your "Nasty Woman" T-shirt, drink from your "Feminist as F*ck" coffee mug, and don your clitoris ring this Saturday. Anyone who sees you will know exactly what your intention is: to support the march.
8Knit A "Pussyhat"
It's not too late to join The Pussyhat Project! All you need is some pink yarn and knitting needles and, according to my friends who knit, it's a pretty easy hat to make. Whether you make one of those pink, cat-ear hats for yourself to wear on Saturday to top off your badass feminist look or make a few for friends headed to a march, you're showing your support.
9Provide Housing If You Live In The D.C. Area
If you live in the D.C. area but are unable to attend and have a little bit of extra space, then consider offering up housing for the night for those who are coming into town, whether it's for a friend of a friend or someone you don't know via Airbnb. Although it might seem a little weird to have strangers staying in your home, remind yourself that we're all in this together and providing a pillow and blanket to a wary marcher isn't just an act of humanity, but an act that the revolution is underway. Besides, it could turn into a really fun sleepover and you'll definitely make new friends in the process.
If you can't make it to a march, but desperately want to go, don't beat yourself up over it. You don't have to be there physically to be there in spirit.
