Estimated 15,000 Come Out for Women's March 2.0

Hundreds of people were still filing into the Bicentennial Mall as the Women's March 2.0 rally began. In fact, the park was getting so full many were forced to find a spot on the grassy hill below the Capitol Building across the street. "We're here to power together, Tennessee," said Francie Hunt, event coordinator of Power Together, the group that organized both this year's and last year's marches. "We believe that women’s rights are human rights, and human rights are women’s rights!" An explosion of cheers and applause filled the air.

It was an inspiring afternoon. Organizers estimate over 15,000 people marched from Public Square Park to the Bicentennial Mall wearing costumes, waving signs, banging drums and chanting. "Tell me what democracy looks like," a woman yelled into a megaphone. "This is what democracy looks like," the crowd behind her shouted back.

Between musical performances from Alanna Royale, Becca Mancari and Sinclair, there were several speakers, including Hunt, Cherisse Scott of Memphis-based organization Sister Reach and poet Nina Donovan. (Ashley Judd recited her poem "Nasty Woman" at last year's march in D.C.). All took turns encouraging supporters to keep working beyond today's event. With the 2018 midterm elections 10 months away (and primaries in August), much of the focus was on reminding people to get out and vote — Tennessee ranks 50th in voter turnout, according to the Pew Research Center. The state is 40th in voter registration.

"In the words of my youngest daughter, she’s only 13, she said, 'No matter how long we march or how many times we protest, it won’t matter until we get out and vote,' " said Zulfat Suara of the American Muslim Advisory Council. "I believe we can do it. I know we can do it! 

"In 2018, we will register and vote in record numbers," she continued. "In 2018 we will use our vote to send a message to the politicians that there’s no room for hate in Tennessee. In 2018, with our votes, we will remind them to focus on real issues instead of divisive rhetoric. And guess what? If they refuse, with our votes, we’ll send them packing."

Later, Scott delivered a powerful speech that recognized past problems, as some had criticized the first Women's March for catering to a mostly white base — especially frustrating due to the fact that 42 percent of white women voted for Trump. Scott urged everyone to unite and work together to ensure the movement is open to all people, especially those who are marginalized.

“We cannot do this work as black women and people alone, white people alone, Latinx alone, Asian and/or Pacific Islander, or native and indigenous people alone — all of our human rights are at stake," Scott said. "Yes, it is still necessary to center people on the margins, but in that centering we must do it the service of humankind.

"I invite all of us to stop the pettiness, stop the respectability politics, stop the divisiveness, stop the cooptation, stop the sabotaging," Scott continued. "It is time to lean in with integrity like never before and step up together!"