#FiveBoroughBucketList #110: Join a Protest

I've always felt like New York is one place where people care about things and aren't afraid to show it. That's why whenever there's any kind of a protest going on, it always seems to happen in New York or another big city. Usually I just watch on the sideline, because I don't ever feel that inspired to join a cause. I'm also 100% against violence and rioting (against people, buildings, etc.) to prove your point, even if it's a cause I agree with.

When it comes to politics, I float right in the middle. I believe in equal rights for all, and I don't think the government has any right to tell me what I can and can't say or do with my body. I think that our country should be a place where if you work hard enough, you can make all of your dreams come true. 

This past election, I was really turned off between both candidates. Except, I've always hated Donald Trump. My very first news story in college was covering a protest about him trying to build Trump on the Ocean, a luxury catering hall with a basement on Jones Beach. I don't care what your politics are - building a restaurant on a beach shows you lack any and all common sense, but I digress.

Why am I not sitting by the wayside and just "getting over it" that my candidate didn't win? Because somehow, our country elected a guy who brags about committing sexual assault. Because somehow, our country elected a VP who has made it no secret that he hates gay people and that they don't deserve the same rights as others. Because somehow, our country actually trusted a guy to "drain the swamp," and all he's doing is putting billionaires into cabinet positions. Because somehow, our country looks at this incompetent buffoon and just says, "haha suck it up you stupid liberal." Which is better? Getting out and protesting, or just whining on social media and not doing anything about it?

Politics aside, I figured NYC was as good a place as any to join a protest. So today, I went out with my roommates and took part in the Women's March in NYC. There were more than 500,000 of us there, and I was proud to join so many others to let the government know that we all have rights, and we aren't going to sit back and just let things happen without making a statement. From here on out, it's up to us to be vigilant, volunteer, and do what needs to be done. I want Trump to be a successful president, but so far what I've seen and heard tells me he's more concerned with Meryl Streep than with actually making us "great" again.

Today was inspiring, awesome, and 400 other words that I can't come up with at the moment. It was great to see so many people out, taking a stand beyond just venting on Facebook and Twitter. There were so many of us, but NYPD really did a good job keeping us all safe and in order. I hope there isn't a need for more protests in the future, but I'm ready and willing to make sure my voice is heard. Here's some more shots from today: