Redlands women to march on Washington following inauguration

Jan. 20--Some Redlands residents will be among the thousands of people expected to march Saturday in support of human rights following the inauguration of Donald Trump as president.

Women, and some men, from all over the country are headed to Washington, D.C., for the Women's March on Washington, which organizers say is a demonstration of solidarity with women and other groups who feel marginalized by Trump's rhetoric.

Redlands resident Linda Richards said she is participating in the march to represent many who oppose the new administration.

"And particularly, his promotion of division and hate, his incessant name calling of not only women, but those he doesn't agree with," said Richards, who is attending with her daughter-in-law. "I am also concerned about his treatment of the press, which is a safeguard for us."

An estimated 200,000 demonstrators are expected to show up for the march, and several thousand more have signed up for solidarity marches in more than 100 cities, including Los Angeles, Riverside and Santa Ana.

Hundreds of groups are involved in planning the rally, representing a range of issues from immigration and reproductive rights to criminal justice and environmental protection.

Cheri Dawes and her husband, Robert Dawes, also will be in Washington on Saturday.

"As soon as I heard about it I said to Robert that I want to be there," she said. "I feel that many of our rights are being threatened by the policies of the president-elect and I'm marching in support of women's rights, gay rights, Planned Parenthood, pro-choice and all those things."

The Daweses used to live in Virginia, where Cheri Dawes participated in anti-Iraq war protests.

She hopes Saturday's march will influence Trump's policies.

"I hope that there will be so many people participating that the president will reassess his policies," she said.

Jane Davis said she was devastated following the Nov. 8 election, but decided she wanted to get involved. So, she signed up for the march along with her 15-year-old daughter, Mary.

"I have never done anything like this myself, but this is important enough that now I want to and I want her to get a feel for what activism looks like," said Davis, who will march for people's rights, the environment, Affordable Care Act and freedom of the press.

While there is much Davis will be marching for, there is much she said she will be marching against, including Trump's rhetoric, his past business decisions and his stance on climate change.

"I can't say which upsets me more, his complete lack of understanding of the political world or climate change, his dismissal of NATO and sort of rejection of America's best allies in favor of the Russians," she said. "I think it's terrifying."

Davis said she will be wearing a sash that reads "With malice toward none and charity for all," which is a line from President Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address in 1865.

"That really sums up why I'm marching and with a nod to the Lincoln Shrine," she said.

Staff writer Grace Wyler contributed to this report.

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