In less than a week, Donald Trump will no longer be President-elect, but the 45th president of the United States. Muslim-American activist Linda Sarsour is not going to let that happen without a march on Washington.
"How could we have allowed hate, racism, sexism, divisiveness to win?"
Sarsour is one of the leading people behind the Women's March on Washington, which is expected to be the largest demonstration against the new administration in American history.
"If there was ever a time to stand together, to stand proud and loud, it’s under a president who won an election on a message of hate and division," Sarsour wrote.
The march will take place on Jan 21, one day after the inauguration.
"The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world, that women’s rights are human rights," the event's Facebook page says.
Alongside Sarsour, organizers of the event include Tamika Mallory, a black civil rights leader and anti-violence advocate and Carmen Perez, a Latina civil rights worker.
“Some people think we are tokens, but I’m not just a pretty Muslim face – we’re leading this together,” said Sarsour, according to The Guardian.
The core at the women-led march is that women's rights are human rights.
The march is not only tackling issues with regards to women's rights but the rights of every minority group in the United States who has ever felt threatened under Trump's presidential campaign.
That includes women’s reproductive rights, immigrant rights, equal rights for African Americans, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA communities.
People will be marching for all types of reasons, and Sarsour's reason is because she loves her community, her Muslim community.
"They registered our men. They put us in databases: terror watch lists, suspected terror watch lists, no-fly lists," she wrote.
"They continue to wholesale spy on our community, leaving no place of sanctuary."
Sarsour thanked Trump for encouraging a "march on Washington" back in 2012
Hollywood celebrities are also planning to attend the march. Pop star Katy Perry, comedian Amy Schumer and actress Scarlett Johansson alongside others are expected to participate.
"Generations from now, little girls and boys will hold their chests out with pride reading about the leadership of women who united a divided nation—so come, be a part of history," Sarsour wrote at the end of her letter.
"Let's continue to build on the legacy of those before us. Walk with me. March with me. 1.21.17."
