The 2018 Women’s March/Rally in Ann Arbor, MI was phenomenal. Many asked for the text of my speech. Well Here you are
Women’s March/Rally Ann Arbor, MI 2018 Speech by Michelle Elizabeth Brown 01/20/2018
Hello Ann Arbor!
Here we are one year later STILL standing in solidarity for the America we believe in.
An America hijacked a year ago, when a toxic orange cloud settled over our nation’s capital.
Most days it feels like common decency is under siege as Republicans use their almost overwhelming political power to paralyze our dreams for our communities.
It no longer, even remotely feels like a government of, for and by the people but a renegade government operating under its own agenda.
From day one, it’s been about turning back the hands of time for women, the LGBTQ community, workers, immigrants, education, the environment, you name it.
Making America great, not for the majority of us, but for the same minority that continues to hold all the wealth.
Almost every morning we wake up to another blast of presidential tirades from an over-night twitter storm that’s regurgitated all day by 45’s band of clueless henchmen and women.
He’s a stable genius alright but apparently that stable never got cleaned and its full of muck!
The travel ban, the transgender ban in the military, his nuclear pissing contest with North Korea, putting the nation’s education system in the hands of the most unqualified secretary of education in history, continued attacks on healthcare even for children, appointing a climate-change doubter to head the EPA – like the song goes “We’re living in bad conditions.”
2017 was a hard year!!
But I continue to look for the best of times, the best in people, the best in possible outcomes and I’ve seen it in the faces of women, students and everyday people.
Last year across the country we marched together, our children in tow, not JUST in protest of the election but for the protection of all we hold dear.
We still believe the greatness of this country lies in its diversity, inclusion and equality for everyone – all of the huddled masses whether born here, brought here as children or immigrating here. We are all yearning to breathe free.
We continue to resist and it’s our women leading the charge.
Thousands came to the Women’s Convention planning strategies and actions to “reclaim” our time.
Women in office are speaking out and holding their male political counterparts to task. And we have even more women thinking about and running for office.
Women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community were elected to office across the country in record numbers last November.
And despite the President’s endorsement, Alabama’s Roy Moore, was defeated. An election which saw a large turnout from voters, especially Black women.
The #Metoo movement has finally put the spotlight on sexual assault, harassment, and JUST BAD BEHAVIOR. It’s time we call out the occupant of White House for his actions.
In her Golden Globe acceptance speech Oprah Winfrey talked about a new day on the horizon! A new day finally dawning because of a lot of magnificent women.
She was speaking to the women in that room, but I say it is because of the magnificent women – Black, White, Brown, of all colors, ethnicities, sexual orientation and gender identity as well as many men standing together strong!
We say to The White House, McConnell, Ryan and the Grand Old Party of Prevaricators, Predators, Perverts, and Phonies – Your time is up!
We say to the Dem’s, we are watching you too. Hear our voices! Do your job and open the doors for OUR NEW IDEAS AND this new wave of women joining your ranks.
And finally, to our dear confused sisters who continue to vote against their own best interest, if you can’t VOTE for yourself vote for your daughters, your granddaughters, those little girls born every day who will live under the choices you make. Wake up and STAY WOKE!!
So I’m going to ask you – Whose time is this?
THIS TIME IS OURS!!!!
Now let’s grab them by the midterms and take our power to the polls!!