On Saturday, September 26th, more than 100 people joined a "Women's March" through Waikiki.  The march was originally called by Indivisible Hawai`i to commemorate the 97th anniversary of the day women won the right to vote but was quickly eclipsed by events of today:  the escalation of attacks on women's rights by the fascist Trump/Pence regime, the resurgence of racism, immigration rights and more.   People came with signs and drums; some came in costume. 

Refuse Fascism brought Handmaid cloaks and bonnets (if you aren't familiar, this is taken from Margaret Atwood's "Handmaid's Tale", a novel about a "not to distant future" when women are reduced to breeders).  J20 brought stunning placards with faces of women of color who made extra-ordinary sacrifices to win the right to vote but were excluded from the Suffragette movement because of their race.  The "Windward Resisters" came dressed as Suffragettes   Many brought creative signs of their own. 

 

 

The march began at the front of Honolulu Zoo and proceeded down Kalakaua to Trump Tower on

Saratoga.  Protesters drummed while chants rang out through Waikiki:  "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA"     They were loud, visible and fast-moving.  People in shops and restaurants came to windows.  Tourists on hotel lanais towering above Kalakaua came came to the railings.  Many snapped photos, clapped or made approving gestures; a few scowled.    Hundreds of the Call to November 4th were distributed along the route. 

For more than half an hour protesters lined the front of Trump Tower, keeping up the drumming and chanting, before returning to Honolulu Zoo. 

Six months ago people coming to protests were very reluctant to recognize that the Trump/Pence Regime was fascist.  That has changed dramatically.   Now many come with their own signs denouncing fascism.  They initiate anti-fascist chants, and many pick Refuse Fascism's big "NO!  In the name of humanity, we REFUSE to accept a Fascist America."