Students travel to D.C. for Inauguration protest

Amanda Melillo Opinions Editor

Thirty-four Vassar students travelled to Washington, D.C. on Thursday, Jan. 20 to join the thousands of protestors marching through the capital’s streets for the presidential inauguration. Students had the opportunity to demonstrate on Pennsylvania Avenue and 4th. For the first time in presidential history, protestors received a permit to gather at a point on the inaugural parade route.

The Vassar contingent of protestors was organized by Emily Goldstein ’05, Tyler Robinson ’08, and Rachel Zoghlin ’07. The Vassar College Democrats and the Students Anti-War Union co-sponsored the trip.

Robinson noted the importance of the opportunity for students to express their opinions on a national level.

“Citizens often feel so distanced from the application of their government. It was hugely encouraging and heartening to see such vast numbers of vibrant, impassioned people—people from all walks of life—taking to the streets to make their grievances heard,” said Robinson.

Students gathered at 11 a.m. with other interest groups at Malcolm X Park for an anti-war rally and march that was sponsored by the D.C. Anti-War Network and United for Peace and Justice.

Speakers at the rally included activists, war veterans, former political prisoners, and musicians. Signs and cardboard coffins draped with American flags were handed out to demonstrators. Vassar students joined the march toward the White House armed with a coffin to symbolize soldiers killed in the current war in Iraq.

“I thought [the march] was really inspirational. It was fun to have all those people of a similar mindset, especially young people,” said Zoghlin. “The size was incredible—as far as the eye could see, in front of us and behind us, people were marching.”

“The march was great,” said Goldstein. “I heard later that there were 10,000 people. It had really good energy, and I found it really exciting.”

After the march ended in McPherson Square a few blocks from the parade route, students proceeded to gather at Pennsylvania Avenue and 4th at 2 p.m., where ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) received a permit for a rally. Bush supporters and protestors alike stood together to watch the parade.

“The reactions we received were interesting because we were mixed in with Bush supporters,” said Goldstein. “We obviously got some rude comments and snide remarks from his supporters, but we also got a lot of thumbs up and cheers from people on the street. At one point, we passed a site with construction workers that were yelling to us in support. You could really tell the difference between Texans and the people that live in D.C.”

Vassar students, Alex Sheff ’08 and Lisl Esherick ’08, handed out fliers to passersby with the first and fourth amendments printed on them. Sheff noted the wide range of reaction when he asked people if they were interested in their basic rights.

“Any individual wearing W-pins, cowboy hats, or fur coats would shake their heads and give strange looks,” he said. “The best one was when a family was walking by and the younger son stopped to ask about it. His grandmother told me, ‘I don’t want you brainwashing my child!’”

Esherick had a similar experience: “This guy came up to me and asked what kind of liberal, socialist crap I was handing out—I had to explain to him that it was the Constitution.”

According to students who attended the protest, the experience was a success.

“I think we really did what we set out to do. We showed them that we’re still there and we’re not going away and that 51 percent is not a mandate.” said Goldstein.

“The sense of community, of democracy, of concord... of humanity and our common bond was very powerful,” said Robinson.