Tens of Thousands of Texans Joined Women’s Marches Over the Weekend

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By Becky FogelJanuary 23, 2017 11:05 am

While there were Texans who traveled across the country to participate in the Women’s March on Washington, tens of thousands of others participated in at least 16 sister marches within the Lone Star State on Saturday.

KERA’s Stephanie Kuo took a look at one of the north Texas demonstrations.

“This is what democracy looks like.”

This mantra reverberated in downtown Dallas as women, men and children marched, Kuo says. They held signs that demanded gender equality and reproductive rights – as well as decried sexual assault, homophobia and racism. There were several signs that opposed President Donald Trump, just a day after his inauguration.

City officials say about 7,000 people marched through downtown and Deep Ellum. Dreaux Abe was among them. She said she was thrilled to see so many people show up.

“Women’s strength is something that’s incomparable whenever we band together — I mean just hear the crowds,” Abe said. “It’s really overwhelming, and I woke up very pumped this morning. Those that are silent, their voices aren’t heard. Those that are brave and courageous to stand out really will make a difference at the end of the day.”

Katie Tucker told Kuo that she was marching in solidarity with those she believes will be negatively affected by Trump’s proposed policies on climate change, education and immigration. Tucker also wanted to set an example for future generations.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to benefit from the actions of the women who have come before me,” she said. “I’m out here because I want my son – who’s four – I want him to know that we are no more or less special than anybody else and if we don’t support each other, we have nothing.”

Kuo says there were similar marches on Saturday in Fort Worth, Denton, Austin, Houston and other cities across the state. Texans also participated in the flagship Women’s March in Washington.

Watch a video below of the Women’s March on the Texas Capitol:




It’s not official yet but Gov. Greg Abbott says he intends to run for reelection in 2018. He told Dallas’s WFAA over the weekend that he wasn’t going to make a formal announcement until after the state’s current legislative session ends.

“I will be running again for governor – no announcement right now,” he said. “Let’s just say it’s my thought and intention to run again. I’ll be prepared to run again.”

Abbott also said if he were asked to join President Donald Trump’s administration he would reply that he enjoys being governor of Texas.
Earlier this month, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his plans to run for re-election – adding he would never run against Abbott for the governorship.




Soon after President Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. Department of Justice moved to push back a hearing on Texas’ 2011 Voter I.D. law. It was originally set for Tuesday; now it’s postponed until late February.

Under the Obama Administration, the DOJ argued the law intentionally discriminated against minority voters.

But an attorney for the plaintiffs in the case – Chad Dunn – told news site ProPublica he expects that argument to change under the new administration – which will likely agree with Texas that any discrimination was unintentional.

Also Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal from Texas defending the entire Voter ID law.