Long Reads
By Stylist Team
7 years ago
Stylist was at the Bring the Noise Women’s March protest in London on Friday 13 July.
On Friday 13 July, Team Stylist took to the streets of London to protest Donald Trump’s controversial visit to the UK. We joined Women’s March London, along with an estimated 53,000 others, to show that we resist the US president’s misogyny, we reject his racism – and we don’t think he deserved to have the red carpet rolled out for him by British politicians. Quite the opposite.
To find out more about why Stylist took part in the demonstration against Trump, read our interview with four of the brilliant women behind Friday’s Women’s March London.
Women’s March London have dubbed their protest #BringTheNoise. In case you couldn’t make it on the day, Team Stylist posted live updates throughout the day on this blog.
Thanks for joining us at the #bringthenoise protest today - hopefully Trump heard our message loud and clear. And, going forward, please remember these words from Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu: “We stand in solidarity. In unity. We will not stand by and let the and bigotry rule.
“We will not stand by and let racism rule.”
Happy marching, everyone.
Suffice to say almost every last bit of it has been filled. Trump has a LOT of reading to get through when this reaches him in Scotland over the weekend.
The Women’s Equality Party has been passing around a giant card at today’s #bringthenoise protest, and asking women to write personal messages to Donald Trump.
An extract from Mara Clarke’s speech: “Abortion Support Network does not ask our clients how they got pregnant or why they want abortions. We don’t even ask if they are women.
Our only criteria is financial need and our available funds, because we trust people. In addition to money, we give information on the cheapest way to arrange an abortion and travel - like a highly specialised travel agency that shouldn’t have to exist.
“We do this work because ‘I can’t afford an abortion’ should never be the only reason someone becomes a parent. Being a parent is a really big deal, and it shouldn’t be a punishment for a broken condom, a lapse in judgement, or a sexual assault. It shouldn’t be a punishment for not having access to free, safe, legal abortion services.
“We at Abortion Support Network are not heroes. We are humans. We saw a problem and we decided to do something about it... so look around you. You are in a giant crowd of people who are hungry for change and who are willing to do something to create it. All of you have a part to play and whatever you do will help us get to where we need to be - to a world where success and survival are not dependent on your race, colour, gender, faith, how much money your parents have, or your elected officials.
“Every one of us can do something... what’s your passion project? Look around you. And remember: you have the power to make anything happen.”
And, on that note, a little light reading for you all: https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/handmaids-tale-channel-4-tv-show-spoilers-books-real-life-true-events-margaret-atwood-elisabeth-moss/130001
Salena Godden: “Peace for now, peace for later, we do not hold hands with a dictator... we do not spread fake news like chumps, we do not shake hands with Donald Trump.”
We haven’t counted properly, but, at a glance, we’d swear there were more people marching today than there were at Trump’s inauguration. Funny that, eh?
A new chant has taken off - and it’s a good one: “The people, united, will never be defeated!”
Now, a rousing speech from abortion rights activist Mara Clarke, who runs the Abortion Rights charity. The message is clear: Trump, hands off our ovaries!
“He is a man who is dangerous, he is a man who is not our friend. His is a presidency which teaches us to see others as less than human... and he spreads his ideologies like a social cancer. But guess what, Donald? We will not bow.”
The Women’s Equality Party: “Unless and until Donald Trump and Theresa May get the message that we demand policies that respect our human rights, we will keep coming back and telling them. We will keep coming back and bringing the noise!”
Not today. Satan. Not today.
If we don’t speak out now, says Dawn Butler MP, then history has shown us that the future is not bright.
“Love trumps hate!”
Dawn Butler MP just reminded the crowds that they’re making a lot of noise outside her workplace - and thanked them for it!
It’s time for a 90s singalong. Think “Donald, racist bigot sexist bigot, Donald. Trump is a disaster, hate is not the answer” to the tune of Rhythm Is A Dancer
As the crowd chants a message of resistance, Dr Shola asks: “Trump, how do you like us now?”
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu: “I solemnly swear to be totally badass. I solemnly swear to resist and not desist. I solemnly swear to have your back. And solemnly swear that I am my brothers and swishers’ keeper.”
“We are here today to make some noise. To show that we care. To show that we don’t approve of policies that feed off bigotry, that feed off fear... our crowd is bigger than their crowd.”
“I’m a doctor and I’m marching because I just think everything Trump’s doing is wrong,” Shira tells us
“We love America but we can’t stand Trump or anything that he stands for - and that’s why we’re marching today,” another woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told us
“I’m marching for women - and to protest Trump’s immigration policy,” Sarah, a woman in the crowd, tells us
The atmosphere here is electric. The crowds are chanting “Trump go home” and waving their banners and posters as high as they can
Protestors are banging pots and pans, whistling and screaming to really #bringthenoise as the march continues down Regent Street
The sun is shining and Stylist has joined a rowdy crowd of protestors who have taken over Regent Street on the march to Trafalgar Square to #bringthenoise
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