Women's March 2018 | In New York, these Sikh volunteers win hearts with their ‘langar’

In New York, on a chilly January morning, thousands of women took to streets to participate in marches and rallies aimed at greater female activism in politics. The Women’s March as the movement is also known as marks the second anniversary of the protest rallies that erupted last year across the US as Donald Trump took the Oval Office. (SEE PICS)

However, amid Trump effigies and placards in colourful language, what stood out was bunch of Sikh volunteers calling people for ‘free food’ In a small clip tweeted by author Simran Jeet Singh, the volunteers were seen handing out rice and vegetable curry to women participating in a protest march in New York. The video has been viewed more than 15,000 times so far. 

Many women are heard saying ‘thank you, guys’, ‘love you, great job’ to the volunteers. 

Love seeing Sikh volunteers serve free food (langar) to everyone at today’s Women’s March. #WomensMarch2018 pic.twitter.com/mdFHhQRv4x

— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) January 21, 2018

According to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, more than 200,000 protesters attended the march in the city.

The coordinated rallies in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and about 250 other cities are a reprise of the mass protests that marked the beginning of Trump's presidency. Sister rallies were also planned in Britain, Japan and other countries.
"We will make our message heard at the polls this fall," Emily Patton, a rally organizer, told thousands of demonstrators at the Reflecting Pool on Washington's National Mall. "That is why we are urging people to register to vote today."

The rallies also come during what has been seen as a pivotal year for women's rights with the #MeToo and #TimesUp social media effort against sexual harassment and abuse that was born out of a string of scandals in Hollywood, Washington and elsewhere.

In Chicago, thousands of mostly female marchers gathered ahead of a rally in Grant Park, carrying signs that read “Strong women raising strong women” and "You can't cure stupid but you can vote it out."

Michelle Saunders, 41, a software saleswoman from Des Plaines, Illinois, came to the rally with her 14-year-old daughter Bailey. They attended last year’s march and anticipated that the crowd this year would not match the 250,000 that attended last year, but for them the message is just as strong.

“A smaller crowd will not mean people are any less angry,” Michelle Saunders said. “We are unhappy with the current administration and what it stands for and want our voices to be heard.”

Since last year's march, women have become more vocal and that is a positive sign, said Cathy Mutz, 63, a retired nurse from Chanahan, Illinois. "I think change will come from the midterm elections," she said.

(With agency inputs)