Pantsuit Nation

This is a post from Pantsuit Nation, an amazing new storytelling space to create solidarity and support in these very challenging times. Hello friends, Yesterday, Sunday Nov. 27, I did a solo protest in Union Square Plaza, San Francisco I stood for 6 hours in the same spot. I stood with as much beauty and power as I have. I had an ipad strapped to my torso looping a 2 minute video stating that I STAND FOR JANE DOE The video detailed facts of the 'child rape case' that she filed against Donald Trump but subsequently withdrew on November 2 because she received so many death threats. She was silenced. I stood for her. And against the Normalization of Violence Against Women I'm posting this here, well...to share with you that I'm no expert at protesting. I didn't know how people would react. But I cannot keep letting other people do this work for me. There are so many wrongs happening right now. And I must, I MUST use what I have in whatever capacity to help bring about awareness and change. Those changes may not be huge. But I know they are present. Some of the most startling and impactful moments yesterday came when parents chose to explain to their kids what I was doing and why: Explaining the concepts of 'responsibility' and 'respect'. And when other women of many ages chose to stand with me: Standing for me, while I stood for Jane Doe. Standing in Union Square in the same spot for that long having hundreds and hundreds of people read/gawk/stand/shun/hug/comment/laugh/applaud/cry/insult/photograph/ignore/commune with/at me gifted me with a deeper understanding of the work that still needs to be done. And it most definitely catalyzed within me the belief that one person can make a difference. Look, protesting isn't convenient or comfortable. My body hurts. My heart is both broken and full of hope and fire. And I feel invigorated and exhausted simultaneously. But I am already starting to plan the next time I will stand. Because I will do this again. I will stand again and fight. And again. And again. One person can make a difference. To all of the amazing people in this group who have been standing for so many for so long in whatever ways you can, thank you. I have stepped up and am not stepping down.