Post #4 (5/2/17) Unit of study: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

Protesters march in the US and Internationally in Protest of Trump taking Office

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/21/politics/womens-march-highlights/index.html

The marches for women's rights in the US as well as internationally brought up significant protest against Trump and his presidential win. The main march was located in Washington DC with thousands of people not just protesting against Trump but as well as supporting to Black Lives Matter, wage equality, and abortion rights. The protesters were not just women though as men and children joined in the march to show their support and belief that women deserve equality. It has drawn tons of attention as activist and leaders from organizations such as Planned Parenthood, NAACP, and the American Federation of Teachers have supported the protests as well as multiple celebrities like Madonna and Alicia Keys. The protests have remained peaceful as participants have stated they simply want "a respectful demonstration of democracy and expression of free speech," and one even saying she believes Trump will see how frightened the US women are and act upon it.

The women's rights marches do represent a real fear within the American women's heart of Trump stripping them of the rights they gained not too long ago. By protesters talking about how they want to peacefully exercise their rights under the First Amendment of Freedom of Speech and Assembly proves that women aren't wanting or trying to be aggressive and forceful, they simply just want their equality. Even today women do not receive full equality as they continue to get lower wages than men when being just as qualified and don't get to decide either or not abortion is right for them. Though no single amendment has ever formally declared it unconstitutional to discriminate against someone based specifically on gender, the Fourteenth Amendment ensures no single minority or group of people get discriminated against. It's Equal Protection Clause claims states cannot deny citizens protection/equality while it's Due Process Clause says states cannot make laws that take away civil rights of citizens. These marches prove that the Fourteenth Amendment isn't as effective as some may believe as women and many minority groups are denied civil rights and liberties through unequal pay and simply day-to-day discrimination. These women taking a stand and showing how they are willing to fight for full equality should not only open President Trump's eyes and the whole world's as well. This relates to class in that it shows how the Bill of Rights is still relevant though not completely sturdy as groups of people utilize  its rights like Freedom of Speech and Assembly to gain the equality it already promises but doesn't quite fulfill.