Deandra Gutierrez

 

The March

 

On March 4th I attended my first march that I've seen and participated in. After an hour of sitting at my booth to represent my C.A.P.E. Group, everyone started to gather up for the march that all the groups participated in. I was very astonished by the turnout we had. We protested around campus in a group and with signs and chants about our group. Some of the sign said, " Hungry for justice, March fourth on march 4^th, Stop fossil fuel Freeze tuition sign petition, and Love your animals don't abuse them." We started in the center of campus, and eventually made our way almost entirely along its border. There were so many different people supporting every group.I was excited that we were able to get some people to join us in our march and thought it was cool how they took time out of their day just to help us out when they could of just went on with their day. The people involved were of many different ages, races, clubs, athletics, etc. It was nice to have a protest that was mixed with different type of people. The people who just starred at us and did not help us, I do not blame them because if I put myself in their shoes, I probably would do the same exact thing. I would probably think the group were weird, just because I never been apart of a march before. Now that I have experience being apart of an event like this, I find it fascinating. The March did not last as long as I expected, and like I stated before, I had fun being apart of this event. We had to walk at a steady pace, which was hard for me because I tend to walk fast. So I had to slow down that way I would not be in the front because I was kind of nervous to be in the front since it was my first time. I thought it was going to be embarrassing and awkward, but turns out it was not. Everyone was holding their sign all happy with smiles and confidence, and it made me glad and proud to be apart of this amazing event. I honestly feel and believe that this experience made me want to start to become way more involved with march's and protests because I never knew how much it could catch people's attention and make them want to get involved and gain interest in what we are learning and studying in class. We could not chant in certain areas, but when we did it was fun. It made me feel like I was a cheerleader again. Cheering and chanting at games. It made me miss cheering and all the fun I use to have, so while I did this event, I just imagined myself being at a football game cheering for what I wanted and believed in. Over all this event was fun to participate in, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to be apart of such a wonderful experience.