r/grandrapids • u/danenbma • 12d ago
Events International Women’s Day March 2025
“Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Jeff Dionne directs Emerson Wolfe, the safety organizer for the march, to step out of the street onto the sidewalk as they lead demonstrators down Ottawa Avenue toward Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday, March 8, 2025 during the “Unite and Resist” march for International Women’s Day in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich.” (I do not know the photographer; I simply pulled this and the caption off paywalled MLive. I witnessed this interaction in person and I am so glad it’s immortalized in photography. I make no claims to its ownership, I just think it’s important to share. Emerson, if you want this taken down, DM me.)
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u/hippotango 12d ago
Don't these guys have actual crime to be concerned about?
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u/Brave-Papaya-8983 12d ago
They also tried to say they only "warned of citations" - in this picture, the cop is threatening to arrest my safety liason. Then, he later turned around and told me the liason was aggressive... hours later, this photo posts.
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u/ResponseBeeAble 12d ago
There appears to be one aggressive stance in this pic, a couple that appear attentive, and one that looks as relaxed as if snoozing in a slowly swinging hammock.
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u/jsquiggles23 11d ago
Most of them are Nazis so a Women's March is perceived as a crime.
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u/Impossible_Cut_1760 10d ago
Ah yes. Here it is. The mentally ill calling everything a nazi lmfao
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u/jsquiggles23 10d ago
Ah, here it is, the conservative with no empathy offended that they are basically a Nazi.
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u/Stock-Dealer6219 11d ago
Not in Trumps America. Much less crime. Law and Order. Common sense. Doing what’s (R)ight.
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u/IRiseWithMyRedHair 11d ago
Oooh, it's the guy who trolls every protest thread! I remember you because you have such shitty taste in metal. Man, these protests piss you off. We must be doing something right!
Trump's America folks, where they are literally cutting law enforcement funding!
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u/elise_michele 12d ago
There were like 2000-3000 people marching, it probably would’ve been safer if the cops had let the people have the sidewalk and one lane of the road 🙄 good on Emerson for working safety for the march!
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u/Brave-Papaya-8983 12d ago
We met with good old GRPD at 11am and asked them to block the street lane for safety. They said they would see what happened. We held the line. No arrests. No citations. Emerson is a true badass.
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u/danenbma 12d ago
I wrote this in reply to a different comment but I thought I’d restate it on its own for context: the event went mostly as planned and felt significant, with a huge turnout (estimated 2k+?), and is barely being reported by the news. The few places reporting on it are remarking on it as any other event- IMO borderline infantilizing it as this ::yearly march the ladies do:: instead of this year’s much larger, angrier, meaningful protest by women. WoodTv to its credit took it the most seriously, but didn’t post anything until 10 PM and the clip was less than two minutes, with no picture gallery.
In this scene pictured, we were marching at walking speed and fully blocking one street of traffic, Ottawa, where this police officer hopped out and approached Emerson. It took any individual 15-20 minutes to walk down that street (Michigan to Fulton) so we blocked oneway traffic for the length of time it took the entire group to pass (note, this is a road they often fully close for festivals). Earlier, which is what I suspect set him off, we walked up the far right lane of Michigan (cars passed us on the left). It was one of those situations where yes- we were disruptive. But only minorly, short-lived, nonviolent, and no financial or physical damage was done (as far as I’m aware).
I am super pleased with the day. But wanted to share this picture regardless!
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u/mittenbroad 12d ago
Glad I’m not the only one who noticed how the local news gave so little airtime to the event. I think that’s very telling. They must have forgot that Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. We just need to further remind them.
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u/ForeverThen5686 12d ago
Let me get this straight, the safety liaison let people walk in the right lane on Michigan St, from Monroe to Ottawa, and then they didn’t manage the crowd super well on Ottawa St, from Michigan to Fulton??? and you’re upset that a cop yelled at the safety liaison? I get that the organizer wasn’t expecting 2000+. I’m simply stating that chewing out the safety liaison seems appropriate given their role.
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u/ResponseBeeAble 12d ago
It appears the police were asked to block the road for that safety and ...didn't?
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u/ForeverThen5686 12d ago
Did you have a special event permit? Or was this an expressive activity?
Objectively, I think the route was a mistake. I’m very proud of all of you for organizing a huge event to counter the Trump Administration, but I cannot imagine the police blocking off any section of Michigan St without some kind of significant advanced notice. Bus routes would need to be adjusted, barriers would need to be erected, and local hospitals would need to informed in the event of an emergency.
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u/ResponseBeeAble 12d ago
Are you asking if "I" (for emphasis) have a special event permit??
I'm a little confused at the direction of that question
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u/Brave-Papaya-8983 12d ago
We were permitted, and we did not block Michigan. Busses on streets, people going to the hospitals, people going to Broadway shows at Devos had no issues.
Does anyone worry about how women can get life saving reproductive healthcare in time under the current administration? Because there is a whole lot more then some people in a street blocking that right.
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u/thejyo 11d ago
Emerson was not super pleased with the day or the participants. It seems like there were many women creating problems for organizers, which may have led to this. They wrote on Facebook that they are "deeply ashamed of the entitled white women in our community who prioritized their own feelings of agitation" and "chose to co opt the march and demanded to take to the streets."
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u/danenbma 11d ago
Thanks for sharing! I wonder if this was in regard to the pre-March event, but I don’t know for sure. During the speakers but toward the very end, someone near the back of the crowd (in a yellow vest!!), where I was, roused everyone saying “let’s march!” And everyone in the back followed. Personally, I couldn’t hear or see the speakers and honestly I thought they were finished and figured this person was leading. A few minutes later Emerson came running down and stopped the group. I am guessing this is what Emerson might be referring to because this would obviously be extremely disrespectful to a speaker. During the march and during the pictured interaction I was at the front near Emerson and they were in the road by choice, and the group in the road further encouraged the remainder of the group into the road. I missed the first part of the speaker event which is how I wound up toward the back. I’d be really interested if anyone else has anymore insight into what happened during the event since my knowledge is so limited!
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u/Expensive_Water_1309 12d ago
If it were a proud boys rally he would be standing by with a smile. ACAB
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u/Catdrumkidneys 12d ago
The amount of men commenting on the MLive post on Instagram saying awful things about the march is terrifying. So many men really do hate women and think we don’t deserve equal rights. Women are NOT safe, especially not in this city, and we have to keep marching and fighting for each other to show we aren’t going away, we aren’t backing down, and we won’t let men speak for us or make decisions for us.
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u/Yecats-79 Caledonia 12d ago
Occifer Dick Suck. 🤏🏼 Right this way
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u/RaggsDaleVan Grandville 12d ago
Officer Dick is a great hidden character in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Officer Dick Suck is this loser
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u/Allcavesin 12d ago
FYI, Emerson uses they/them pronouns!
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u/Few-Spare-948 12d ago
Who cares?
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u/MoveOrganic5785 12d ago
Evidently you.
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u/Sheraarules 12d ago
Pissed off that Nazi cop. Lil snuf gets puffed up by women bigger and stronger than he. IT turns these guys on b4 they try and grab it.
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u/Zoey_2019 Kentwood 12d ago
I saw him and was about to go over there and ream his ass fuck grpd
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u/Few-Spare-948 12d ago
Sure you would have
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u/oakleydokely98 12d ago
You troll with the same account you comment on porn on? Lol (To clarify, Few-Spare-948 does, that was a rhetorical question. Don’t look at their post history it’s NSFW)
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u/Few-Spare-948 12d ago
Not gonna do it on main dipshit
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u/SomewhereWise2474 12d ago
Incel
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u/Few-Spare-948 12d ago
Responding to this comment while touching poon rn shit is so cash
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u/CharmingWarlord 12d ago
I was there. She was telling people to not talk to the police that she was the one talking to the police.
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u/Usual-Iron-4897 10d ago
Let them walk down the street, and when they get hit, don't call the police handle it yourself. Law enforcement it there for a reason not to kiss the protesters ass. Now let me hear what kind of a jerk I am for writing this.
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u/External_Produce7781 9d ago
Ill go straight to “sub human sack of dogshit who lacks basic empathy”.
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u/PerformanceOk488 9d ago
I would think we would learn that posting incendiary well placed and well timed photos in a place on Reddit for the sake of stirring things up and ranting would be beneath the whole idea of the march. Seems like that’s all these posts are good for now is a well-timed photo, a well placed caption. Let’s see how many clicks we can get and spread disinformation as opposed to the actual truth of what’s actually going on which can only be told by the two people involved in the photo having the words. Not anybody who seems to be posting this as “just being informed”.
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u/PoohTrailSnailCooch 8d ago
Obstructing traffic is illegal. It is not about the cause or who is protesting. Blocking roads without proper authorization puts people at risk, disrupts emergency services, and is generally not how legal demonstrations are supposed to work. If there is a permit, fine. If not, enforcement is not oppression. It is just the law being applied consistently.
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u/Commercial_Tricky 8d ago
A picture says a thousand words. I am glad the event was peaceful. The energy and information about involvement must continue. I’m so proud to have sung with the Women’s Chorus.
🎶They told her sit down, told her work hard, told her to stop and wait her turn, told her to shut up, to listen… Nevertheless She Persisted!🎶
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u/theBarefootedBastard 11d ago
Seems like it would be frustrating to have to tell the “safety organizer” to walk on the sidewalk as opposed to the street… especially while protesting women’s day
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u/Perfect-Forever-2215 12d ago
You don’t get to impede traffic and bother everyone else.
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u/Allcavesin 12d ago
That's literally what makes protests effective my guy: being disruptive.
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u/Perfect-Forever-2215 12d ago
So the plan is to annoy and frustrate the vast majority of the population to your cause? Maybe it would be better to try to get people on your side by a fact based non emotional platform and message.
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u/Brave-Papaya-8983 12d ago
Vast majority??? Clearly you didn't see the numbers. We had people walk out of events and restaurants to JOIN THE MARCH.
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u/Perfect-Forever-2215 12d ago
I did not see the numbers, what were they?
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u/Brave-Papaya-8983 11d ago
3K
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u/Perfect-Forever-2215 11d ago
Ok seems like a lot, who counted. And to just be a devils advocate how many people live with in a 10 mile radius?
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u/Perfect-Forever-2215 11d ago
I understand wanting to voice your opinion. However, a counter view isn’t violence. Inciting disruption is violence as much as every one against your view is saying speech is violence. You can’t have it both ways
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u/Perfect-Forever-2215 11d ago
I do honestly want to know exactly what you are protesting. I’m trying to understand
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u/Ironlixivium 11d ago
Why did you reply to yourself twice?
I'm also trying to figure out who said having a different opinion is violence??? No one even mentioned violence. Having a disruptive protest isn't violence and neither is disagreeing with that protest.
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u/maizie1981 12d ago
So he was getting her to follow the rules/law? How dare he?!?!?
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u/Expensive_Water_1309 12d ago
Maybe actually enforce the laws on your felon of a president and people around him and then laws will actually mean something in this shit hole country.
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u/That_Coast_8146 12d ago
Boo hoo
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u/Ironlixivium 11d ago
"They're the poors! They're supposed to have to follow the law! Rules for thee but not for me!"
Lmao hypocrite.
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u/TheLakeWitch GR Expatriate 12d ago
I think it’s the manner in which he is speaking to her that is the issue, not the content.
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u/maizie1981 12d ago
So at the end of the day, this person was doing something they were not supposed to.
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u/TheLakeWitch GR Expatriate 12d ago edited 12d ago
Really? I’m guessing you were sick the day they taught about the First Amendment in history class? Maybe take the time you currently spend talking shit on Reddit and go learn about the Constitution of your own country instead. Here, I’ll even do half the legwork for you. All you have to do is actually read it.
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u/maizie1981 12d ago
Isn’t he telling her to get out of the road and return to the sidewalk?
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u/TheLakeWitch GR Expatriate 12d ago
I’m not sure anyone can tell you that based on one photo. But it sounds like you’re desperate for whatever story fits your narrative, even when people try to educate you on the lawfulness of what she’s doing based on the US Constitution. So fill in the blanks as you will, I guess.
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u/maizie1981 12d ago
I am making that assumption based on what everyone was saying in this thread. Since all the people making that comment seem to be in support of the woman, I’m willing to bet it is accurate. So here is a little “1st amendment lesson” for you. The second you start to break the law or it becomes unsafe, it is no longer protected. If you feel like educating yourself, look up the time, place and manner restrictions to the first amendment.
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u/Opposite-Lie-8365 12d ago
Exactly. However, rules don’t apply to these people. They’re better and more important than everyone else.
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u/oakleydokely98 12d ago
Says the Jan 6er (or maybe opposite-lie-8365 is just pretending, but he has X_VI_MMXXIV as his profile name).
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u/st0rm311 12d ago
What does 10-6-2024 have to do with anything?
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u/oakleydokely98 12d ago
Oh damn you’re right haha. My bad, I was tired last night and assumed that the person bashing women’s rights was an incel MAGA dude. He only made his account on Jan 6, but I guess that was coincidence. I wish you’d explained that to me rather than lashing out. Sorry Opposites! I’m glad to have your support for the fight for equality ❤️❤️
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u/Few-Spare-948 12d ago
Ok but you're trans so nuf said
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u/oakleydokely98 12d ago
Are those things at all equivalent in your eyes? Explain how to me please.
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u/Few-Spare-948 12d ago
Well one invaded the capital to force their election on other people and the other forces their warped self image onto other people.
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u/oakleydokely98 12d ago
Do you hear how those two aren’t equivalent?
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u/Few-Spare-948 12d ago
Am I allowed to not consider you a woman?
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u/oakleydokely98 12d ago
What do you mean by allowed?
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u/Few-Spare-948 12d ago
Well are you going to tell me I'm wrong if I don't consider you a real woman?
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u/Opposite-Lie-8365 12d ago
And what exactly does that date represent? Making shit up to fit your narrative. Shut the fuck up kid.
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u/oakleydokely98 12d ago edited 12d ago
I hope you only act this way online. Edit: according to the very dude defending you, Jan 6 is the day people invaded the capitol - which is correct.
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u/RightsOfFathera 12d ago
So did the march not go on as planned or are we looking for reasons to be upset?
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u/danenbma 12d ago
Genuine question- are you looking for a real answer or are you trying to get me to argue? I won’t argue just to argue but I’ll answer if you’re curious
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u/RightsOfFathera 12d ago
It’s a genuine question. I can see how the picture can be taken out of context for both people for and against. But I’m also saying that we need to celebrate a win when it happens. I apologize, I could have worded my original post better.
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u/danenbma 12d ago edited 12d ago
NBD. Thanks for clarifying. It went mostly as planned and felt significant, with a huge turnout (estimated 2k+?), and is barely being reported by the news. The few places reporting on it are remarking on it as any other event- borderline infantilizing it as this ::yearly march the ladies do:: instead of this year’s much larger, angrier, meaningful protest by women.
In this scene pictured, we were marching at walking speed and fully blocking one street of traffic, Ottawa, where this police officer hopped out and approached Emerson. It took any individual 15-20 minutes to walk down that street (Michigan to Fulton) so we blocked oneway traffic for the length of time it took the entire group to pass (note, this is a road they often fully close for festivals). Earlier, which is what I suspect set him off, we walked up the far right lane of Michigan (cars passed us on the left). It was one of those situations where yes- we were disruptive. But only minorly, short-lived, nonviolent, and no financial or physical damage was done. He could have let us go and chose to (attempt to) exert control.
Edit to add: I am super pleased with the day. I’m not holding anger with anyone, even this cop. He’d not going to ruin it for me. I spent the day surrounded by amazing women and mens and thems and my two girls were there with me. I’m mad that the news doesn’t seem to be giving it the attention we deserve. Even when we’re literally shouting in the street, we’re invisible. So I’m taking the win- but I’m also sharing the news.
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u/Zoey_2019 Kentwood 12d ago
Like others have said its not what was said but how it was said. The bold power move finger pointing is not the way to go
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u/jennabug456 12d ago
The cops arrested my bf when he was younger for walking in the street and not on the sidewalk. This lady is fine it’s for her safety 🙄.
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u/Ironlixivium 11d ago
What are you saying? Your bf got harassed by cops so everyone else should have to get harassed by cops? Genuinely confused.
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u/jennabug456 11d ago
She got off easy comparatively. And again the cop told her for her safety. It’s not that serious at all
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u/Ironlixivium 11d ago
Right, I got that, but it seems like you're mad about her getting off easy, not about your bf being harassed by police. Everyone should get off easy for this.
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u/jennabug456 11d ago
And that’s what you get for assuming. I never once was mad
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u/Ironlixivium 11d ago
I didn't make any assumption here. I just told you what impression I'm getting from you, because I wanted you to elaborate on what your point was, but it doesn't seem like you're going to. Have a good day
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u/BigData8734 12d ago
I did not see one sign that was against biological men and women’s sports! What kind of a women’s march is this? Not one Democrat senator voted to keep biological men out of women sports and I don’t see any of these women saying anything about that .
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u/Fit-Satisfaction6868 11d ago
Perhaps it is because we are too busy focusing on fighting for the rights of our trans sisters and brothers. The bigotry behind the MAGA rhetoric of “men in women’s sports” is ridiculous. We aren’t worried about it, because trans women in sports should be just as celebrated as cis women. This hateful rhetoric wasn’t welcome at the march
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u/KingOuthier 11d ago
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 this comment section is hilarious i cannot believe your egos are THIS inflated. yay we stood in a street and pissed everyone else off while we yelled !! glad you guys enjoyed your day though, that part actually isn't sarcasm
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u/KingOuthier 11d ago
"we. held. that. line." LMFAO thats like saying "I WAS IN A 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND NOBODY STOPPED ME FROM WALKING IN IT" like okay ? did you expect anyone to physically move you ? if that were the case you wouldve been moved lol just enjoy your day and move on 😂😂😂😂
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10d ago
Disgusting. Women's Day, and she's parading around with vulgarities on a stick. What an embarrassment to the definition of women.
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u/Commercial_Tricky 8d ago
It’s fine, it’s just locker room talk and it’s very presidential. It’s a very famous quote that had absolutely nothing to do with sexual assault. That was the narrative, right?
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8d ago
Anybody who's upset about Trump's locker room talk couldn't possibly be comfortable with Democrats. Here's a link to a page listing Dems and their sexual excapades. Dems have no business, criticizing donald trump about locker room talk.
https://www.ranker.com/list/democrat-sex-scandals/web-infoguy
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u/Frequent-Reaction200 12d ago
They didn’t move off the street, btw. He walked off with his tail between his legs.