BY JOANNA C. VALENTE
I don't think I need to preface these photographs except that they give me hope. These protests give me a lot of hope during this dark & dismal time, like many others. I woke up today feeling sad, tired, angry, and confused. I protested on Sunday at Battery Park (as I was personally unable to go to JFK the night before). It did a lot for my spirit, and I'm hoping these protests are an indication of the political energy and activism we need for the days forward. Looking at all the protest photos on social media is giving me that glimmer of something I need. I'm not entirely sure if it's just hope, but it's the knowledge that other humans do care about each other. It's easy to forget this, especially now.
This is why I rounded up some of my favorites, along with an essay you should check out below.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Porochista Khakpour's "How Can I Be a Refugee Twice?" on CNN
Thanks to everyone who protested for us! I was worried about what could happen to us there (still sort of do) but the photos give me life! ❤
— Porochista Khakpour (@PKhakpour) January 29, 2017
Have you joined @YourDailyAction yet? It's a great help to me on busy days. pic.twitter.com/ifLFpYzbyz
— Porochista Khakpour (@PKhakpour) January 30, 2017
Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York. They are the author of Sirs & Madams (Aldrich Press, 2014), The Gods Are Dead (Deadly Chaps Press, 2015), Marys of the Sea (2016, ELJ Publications), & Xenos (2016, Agape Editions). They received their MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Joanna is also the founder of Yes, Poetry, as well as the managing editor for Luna Luna Magazine and CCM. Some of their writing has appeared in Prelude, The Atlas Review, The Feminist Wire, BUST, Pouch, and elsewhere. They also teach workshops at Brooklyn Poets.