Opponents of the Trump administration are calling for women to make their absence felt on Wednesday as a form of protest. The event is inspired by the "bodega strike" by Yemeni owners of New York City's ubiquitous corner stores and the "Day Without an Immigrant" protests.
Both are variations on the idea of a general strike. (Earlier this year, I spoke with a labor historian about general strikes and why they aren't a big part of our political culture in the U.S.)
Here are the main ways women are being asked to participate:
- Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor
- Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses).
- Wear red in solidarity with A Day Without A Woman
As with other general strike-like protests, women who participate run the risk of being disciplined or fired at work. Organizers suggest talking to your boss ahead of time if you want to participate. And skipping out on unpaid labor in the home only works if there are other adults to pick up those childcare and cleaning tasks.
Not to be a Debbie Downer! But these types of protests carry some inherent challenges that the large Saturday marches and rallies do not.
In Denver, there's also a march around the Colorado State Capitol from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
“The Watcher's Silent Vigil: In Love of Liberty, Justice and Human Rights for All” will "make elected representatives at every level of government know they are being watched and will be engaged with to ensure the preservation of our democracy."
In an email, organizers said they were also inspired by the weekly silent vigils carried out by the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Argentina to protest the military dictatorship there.
Organizers will have a certain number of signs available on a first come, first serve basis, or bring your own. The march is intended to be "peaceful, respectful and inclusive."
