theglobeandmail.com
People's March 2023: A Shift in Focus and Scale
The People's March, a rebranded iteration of the Women's March, is occurring in Washington D.C. on Saturday, eight years after the original march. It is expected to be significantly smaller, focusing on a broader range of social justice issues rather than solely opposing a particular political figure.
- How has the internal evolution of the movement affected its strategy and its capacity to address diverse social justice concerns?
- The shift from the Women's March to the People's March reflects an effort to broaden the movement's appeal and address a wider array of social justice concerns beyond opposition to a single political figure. This strategic change comes after internal divisions and a desire for more inclusive participation.
- What are the key differences between the 2017 Women's March and the 2023 People's March, and what accounts for the change in scale and focus?
- Eight years after the historic first Women's March, a smaller, rebranded "People's March" is taking place in Washington D.C., focusing on a broader range of social justice issues. The expected attendance is significantly lower than the 2017 march, reflecting a shift in the movement's strategy and a change in political climate.
- What are the long-term implications of shifting from large-scale demonstrations to a more community-based organizing model for the effectiveness of the movement?
- The smaller scale of the 2023 march suggests a move away from large-scale demonstrations as the primary method of achieving social change. The emphasis on connecting participants with ongoing organizing efforts within their communities indicates a long-term vision focused on sustained activism rather than singular events.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing centers on the diminished size of the 2025 march compared to the 2017 march, emphasizing the contrast between the two events. This framing risks portraying the smaller 2025 march as a failure or sign of waning momentum, overlooking the potential significance of its broadened scope and focus on long-term engagement. The use of phrases like "comparative quiet" and "restrained moment of reflection" subtly casts the 2025 march as less impactful than its predecessor.
Language Bias
The article uses descriptive language such as "white-knuckled fury" and "comparative quiet" which carries strong connotations. While evocative, these terms could be replaced with more neutral descriptions to maintain objectivity. For example, "intense emotion" could replace "white-knuckled fury" and "a more subdued atmosphere" could replace "comparative quiet.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the contrast between the 2017 Women's March and the smaller, rebranded People's March in 2025, potentially overlooking other significant social justice movements or events that occurred during the intervening years. While acknowledging the 2017 march's massive scale, the piece doesn't delve into the long-term impact or lasting effects of that protest, focusing instead on the current event. The article also doesn't deeply explore the internal conflicts and power struggles within the Women's March that led to the rebranding and potential loss of participants. This omission leaves the reader with an incomplete picture of the movement's evolution and challenges.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy between the "white-knuckled fury" of the 2017 march and the "restrained moment of reflection" of the 2025 march, potentially oversimplifying the diverse range of emotions and motivations among participants in both events. It implies a direct correlation between the size of the march and its effectiveness, neglecting other forms of activism and social change.
Sustainable Development Goals
The People's March, successor to the Women's March, aims to promote feminism and women's rights, directly contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The article highlights the march's focus on women's and reproductive rights, showcasing its commitment to advancing gender equality. The evolution from a singular focus on Trump to a broader range of social justice issues also reflects a deeper engagement with achieving gender equality within a wider context of social justice.