San Francisco's presidential inauguration protest demonstration and march was so like this city--densely populated, diverse, creative and a lot of fun. The estimate on the radio was 10,000 participants, but I'm inclined to think that might be on the conservative side. It was certainly one of the largest demonstration/marches I've ever attended, and that includes two national marches in Washington, DC--the 1990 tenth anniversary march to honor El Salvador's assassinated Archbishop Oscar Romero, and the 1996 AIDS Quilt candlelight march. La Lucha my scooter made it possible for me to rally and march the miles we traveled without running out of gas, figuratively or literally. Besides she so graciously carried my sign. By the end of the day, folks were asking to hitch a ride on my bumper.

There were babies, teenagers, older folks, activist women, dancers, drummers, lots of young adults, even a giant puppet maker/organizer I'd met at Windsor, Ontario's OAS demonstrations last June. Folks were in good moods even though the reason we were together was not something to make any of us happy. At a protest demo like this, the good feelings come from being among other people who share your views, at least your views about this particular issue. Though we might have very different reasons why having George W. Bush as president disturbs us, we gathered today as a chorus of voices in harmony with one another. Socialists, communists, labor unionists, college students, homeless, feminists, persons of color, middle class families, immigrants, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons, working poor, environmentalists, death penalty abolitionists, Gore supporters...they were all there.

The weather cooperated with gray skies and a chill to the air--no rain--during the noontime Civic Center rally and 3 mile march.  By the time we arrived at a Western Addition park in mid-afternoon for another series of speeches, the sun had come out and warmed things up. By then it just felt like a wonderful street party. I ran into several friends, including P.McD., who kindly posed with an unidentified man and his little one while I snapped their picture.

I'd say that one image stands out as symbolic of what I experienced today. It is an image of esperanza (hope). What started in Seattle a year ago, has steadily grown in numbers and commitment. The people are awakening to their power to effect change when engaged in a common purpose. They will not give up. No matter what Bush or members of his administration do, our eyes will be watching and we will hold them accountable. Public apathy is a thing of the past.

©2001 Patricia Lay-Dorsey. Please use with attribution.