Spokane residents marching in D.C. describe a peaceful, powerful movement

Danny Layne marched Saturday through Washington, D.C., dressed as Medusa, a mortal figure from Greek mythology.

“Medusa has always been a figure of the feminist movement,” the Gonzaga University philosophy professor said. “Medusa sees the patriarchy, sees masculinity, and Medusa isn’t scared. She laughs.”

Layne, attended the Women’s March in the nation’s capital along with a number of other Spokane residents. The event drew more than 500,000.

“It’s probably the most spectacular event I’ve ever been to in my entire life,” she said. “Imagine people of all different colors and creeds and genders and sexualities and ages, all coming together and screaming at the patriarchy, screaming at the insanity of this election.”

For her, the march showed the world that, for many, Donald Trump doesn’t represent them.

“I will be a resistor for the next four years,” Layne said. “While he might officially be my president, he doesn’t represent the intersectional voices of my generation.”

Former Franklin Elementary Principal Mickey Hanson was also in the nation’s capital Saturday. She said her flight to D.C. was full of women heading to the march.

In Denver, waiting for her connecting flight, there were numerous women wearing pink “Pussyhats. Hanson and Layne, who didn’t know each other, ended up sitting next to each other on the plane.

“That was just amazing,” Hanson said. “It was like there was not a stranger on the plane.”

Ileia Perry described the mood in D.C. as “positive.”

“Everything was very, very peaceful,” she said. “People were very kind to each other.”

Ultimately, the march was about the democratic process and having a voice, Layne said.

“The best chant, the chant that was the most enlivening was, ‘Show me what democracy is,’” she said, followed by “This is what democracy is.”