Column: Pagans Prepare for a New Women’s March

As a minority community, many American Pagans met the beginning of 2017 with trepidation, with the inauguration of a new president who seemed hostile to values that many Pagans hold dear. Between the new president’s recorded admissions of sexual assault and misogyny, and the evangelical Christian movement had propelled him to power, there was fear that the new administration would roll back gains made in social issues such as women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, and freedom from religious persecution. In this environment, one day after the inauguration of President Trump, the Women’s March on Washington burst onto the international scene. In a well-coordinated protest effort, millions of women and men in iconic pink “pussy” hats flooded cities all over the world to stand up for what they saw is inalienable human rights that were under threat. The Washington, D.C. march famously attracted more attendees than the inauguration itself, and that pattern repeated itself in cities across the U.S. and, indeed, all over the world.

2017 Wild Hunt retrospective

TWH – Now that the season has turned and we are nearing the end of the 2017, we look back, one last time, to review this historic year. What happened? What didn’t happen? What events shaped our thoughts and guided our actions? In our collective worlds, both big and small, what were the major discussions?

PHOTOS: Pagans join the Women’s March on Washington

TWH – The Women’s March on Washington was expected to bring out large crowds, but the numbers quickly reached unprecedented levels, making the Saturday march one of the biggest in U.S. history. The 673 sister marches around the world added to the energy and the spirit of the day. Many Pagans, Heathens, and polytheists were among those in attendance. We have been collecting personal photos that share a taste of what people saw and experienced while marching. The following galleries are broken down into regions based on what was received including, Washington D.C., the Northeast (New York and Massachusetts), the South (Florida, Atlanta, Texas), the Upper Midwest (Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan) and the West Coast (California, Oregon).

Pagan Community Notes: Women’s March, Coru blood drive, Nigel Bourne, and more!

TWH – Saturday’s historic Women’s March on Washington has reportedly set records for attendance around the world. The estimated numbers are still being tallied for both the main march and the reported 673 sister marches. News media is currently reporting that the organization’s original prediction of 200,000 marchers in Washington D.C. alone was more than exceeded with numbers now estimated to be around 500,000. Similarly, other cities are also reporting larger crowds than predicted. Pagans, Heathens, and polytheists were in attendance across the country, reporting in throughout the day over social media.

Witches at the Women’s March on Washington

WASHINGTON D.C. – On Friday Jan 20, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States. Then, on Saturday Jan 21, an estimated 200,000 women will march on Washington in protest against an administration that they say is hostile toward women and unwilling to protect their civil rights. The march organizers’ mission statement begins: “We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families – recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.” Among those thousands of people marching in Washington will be a contingent of 64 plus Witches, who plan to frist meet at the Museum of the American Indian at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, and then they will join up with the larger event. The Firefly House, an organization of Witches and Pagans based in Washington D.C., has called for this gathering.