Third Act Tennessee was well represented in the People’s March in Nashville on Saturday, January 18. This event, hosted by Women’s March Tennessee, was organized to give voice to concerns about the furthering inequality and oppression expected on the heels of the incoming administration.
“The hope of this march is to empower people to keep fighting, to educate people on the topics,” said organizer Leann Willmon. Protecting the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community, standing up to racism and hate, moving forward with solutions to the climate crisis and demanding healthcare reform will be among the issues.
One of us floated the idea of dressing up like oligarchs. Brilliant, right? The concept would address our twin missions of safeguarding our climate and democracy. As a bonus, we emphasize the fact that a few obscenely wealthy oligarchs, assuming control of the country, are muffling the voices of the people, so we would be touching on all the causes – a message in solidarity with all. We dove head first into this idea.
In the days leading up to the march, there was much texting with photos and ideas for our look and message. Thrift store finds, sign ideas, and practicalities such as how to stay warm, were some of the topics. Anyone familiar with the creative process knows how people are stimulated by each other’s energy and that’s what happened. We pulled it off and caused a stir, being photographed, interviewed and coming to know lots of good people.
Hundreds of marchers gathered at Wasioto Park by Cumberland River and marched through Nashville to Public Square to hear speakers and musicians. The crowd size was smaller than in 2017 and some questioned why. Are people weary, fearful or without hope? Important considerations, but soon set aside as the energy of this crowd began to rise. The feelings of connection and understanding were palpable. Perhaps as much as the desire to be heard, this is what people needed. We marched, chanted, sang familiar songs and listened to the speakers tell their truths. It felt just as righteous as it did eight years ago.
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. May his wisdom prevail. I’m avoiding the news, choosing instead to write this report on the People’s March in Nashville. To freshen my experience, I spent some time looking through video clips from local news outlets. What a kick it has been to catch glimpses of us, our friends and the faces of people we met along the way. There we are, chanting, singing, faces glowing in the January air.
One of the working principles of Third Act is to boost others. Energizing one another is one way to do this. I’m feeling the good energy rise once more. That’s not something I expected today.
Emily Cathcart
Reporting for Third Act Tennessee