Jessica Masulli Reyes

The News Journal

As a women's march in the nation's capital swelled to half a million people on Donald Trump's first full day in office, another march through the streets of Newark also attracted huge crowds.

Over 1,000 men and women stretched through the city to send a message that women's rights are human rights – regardless of who takes the presidency. All wanted their voices heard on issues ranging from reproductive rights to equal pay to immigration.

"This is a really positive response to the frustration of what everyone is feeling," said North Wilmington resident Michele Sands. "There is no sense in continuing to be upset and complaining. This is the way we can show we support our country."

Cities all over the world saw similar gatherings Saturday that coincided with the Women's March on Washington. The march began as a plea by a Hawaii grandmother who went on a popular political group on Facebook and wrote that she wanted to march. Within only a few weeks, her action led to an event that drew even more people than the inauguration a day earlier.

Many Delawareans traveled to the capital march, but local "sister marches" at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark and in Lewes made it easier for those who could not travel.

That was the case for Jackie Kook. The Pike Creek teacher wanted to take her 11-year-old daughter, Caitlin, to the main march, but as it got closer, she worried about her daughter seeing violence if the march or counter-protests did not remain peaceful.

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She decided to take Caitlin and her three other children to the Newark march. As they snaked down Willa Road near the start, they held up signs saying "Power to the People" and "Love Trumps Hate" decorated with light-up stickers.

"I want my kids to know that we are all equal," she said. "We are not all the same, but we are all equal and should have the same rights as each other."

Caitlin understood the message her mother was trying to convey and said she also wanted to march for those who do not have the same rights she does, including one student in her fifth-grade class who became emotional and feared for her family as their class watched Trump's inauguration live on television.

"We are all equal, and we cannot just say, 'Oh that person is different from me so I don't like them,'" Caitlin said.

Many at the march said they came not to show any hatred for Trump, but instead to show kindness and empathy to all in the world after a particularly ugly campaign. Their signs portrayed that message with taglines like "Love Not Hate Makes America Great" and "Marching for My Future."

Joyce Hayes of Newark walked a portion of the route carrying a sign that said "Peace, Respect and Dignity for All." When she was unable to walk further because of a recent knee replacement, she encouraged those at the start by telling them that the line of people was stretching all the way to Main Street.

"I just don't like the fact that our society has become so divided and that prejudice is becoming acceptable," she said.

Sands agreed as she walked the 2.4-mile route down Main Street and South College Avenue, before ending back at the church.

"There are a lot of people who may be affected by the changes more than I am," Sands said. "But I want to be able to support those people and let them know that we want to have a kind nation, a welcoming nation."

Some Delawareans ventured far from home to participate in women’s marches all over the world. Shane Palko, an alternative folk musician based in Delaware, was booked to play a concert at the Slow Leopard in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, as part of his international tour for his new album “Seventh Story” when he heard about an expatriate organizing a women’s march.

“While my music is not blatantly political or activist in nature, I am a person of action,” he said.

Palko said the march on Saturday drew approximately 220 people who walked on Msasani Road, passing the headquarters of many international establishments.

Palko said the current political climate dissuades Tanzanian residents from protesting. For this reason, the marchers were careful to conduct the event in a culturally appropriate way.

“It took courage to march, but each marcher knew that they were a part of something bigger than themselves – unique and bold in Tanzania, and among the masses, worldwide,” he said.

The gathering provides a message of positivity and hope for all in Tanzania.

“We wanted to celebrate and support women,” Palko said. “Change is accomplished by positive action, not by negative words. We marched for marginalized women in Tanzania and to show our support of other marchers around the globe.”

“We march not against anything; we march in solidarity with millions of others around the world for positive change and the continuation of progress in these unsure times.”

Downstate, many Delawareans gathered at Cape Henlopen State Park along the Lewes beach for a walk, rather than a march, of solidarity.

A week before the marches, Nancy Powell thought to have a gathering at the beach to coincide with the various protests happening throughout the nation. Powell said she initially sent an email out to about 12 to 15 people. On Saturday morning, nearly 300 people showed up.

Called “Solidarity on the Shore,” Powell's only request to was keep the atmosphere “very casual.” The stroll offered locals an opportunity to converse with new and familiar faces. There was no shouting and no speeches, Powell said, but ideas were exchanged on many local, state and nationwide issues, including women's rights.

Like many marches throughout the nation, people of all ages came out and supported Powell’s gathering of peace that began at 11 a.m. and lasted a little over an hour.

“I was very pleased that people came out for solidarity but were very respectful,” Powell said. “I think we had a nice and enjoyable morning at the beach.”

Contact Jessica Masulli Reyes at (302) 324-2777, jmreyes@delawareonline.com or Twitter @JessicaMasulli.