The day after Donald Trump's inauguration as president, cities across the country and the world were flooded with protestors. Not violent, vindictive people, but individuals who wanted to express the expectations they had for Donald Trump and their commitment to holding our new government accountable for their promises to the people. With chants of "this is what democracy looks like!" and crowd-wide shouts of joy, the march was a deeply positive and affirming experience, one that I was so excited to take part in.

The Women's March on NYC was the first movement I've ever marched in, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I got there. I had heard frightening stories on the news or from peers about protests -- be careful of pepper spray, don't use your phone, be aware of mood shifts in the crowd -- but my experience was nothing short of exceptional. The crowd was very peaceful, moving slowly block-by-block because of the sheer number of people who had shown up to participate. The protestors were young and old, with all genders, races, and religions joining together in one voice; I even spotted a number of children sitting on the shoulders of their parents, holding tiny signs and beaming. Homemade posters and signboards seemed to float above the crowd, declaring the public's commitment to peace, respect, and love for all. Even the weather cooperated with the march: whereas the last week or so has been inundated by a drizzling rain, the sky were sunny and the air clear while the march took place. The overall atmosphere of the event was powerfully upbeat and inundated with the strength of those marching for all Americans, no matter what side of the aisle we prefer to be in power.

At the very end of the protest route, a number of individuals had gathered and were chanting one final slogan: "Our activism does not end here!". That, I think, is what we should take into the next four years: the positive, understanding, peaceful protest of the Women's March in NYC and around the country should continue on in our volunteer and civic work throughout this new presidency and beyond, focusing on the importance of respect, unity and, above all, love.