Local woman: ‘Our voices are being heard’

One local woman participated in the We Are America march in April and her fervor for justice has only grown stronger since being part the call for democracy for the second time.

North Central Massachusetts resident Tammy Fortune and her friend joined the last five days of the movement in September, traveling with the large entourage that started their journey in Philadelphia — known as the City of Brotherly Love — and made their way to Washington, D.C., while carrying a version of the U.S. Constitution with them that was created by children from across the country.

“I saw it on social media and was inspired to join. We truly showed up randomly and joined in,” Fortune said of their spur of the moment plan last fall. “The group was welcoming and was wonderful to be around, so I was eager to do it for the full time this spring.”

The Long Island native moved to Massachusetts in 2008 after receiving an undergraduate degree in sociology and said she has “always been focused on justice and social inequality.”

“I became more politically active when I did a training within my industry on advocacy,” Fortune conveyed. “I realized that being politically active is accessible and that I could read bills and educate myself to stay informed.”

Over the span of 14 days, nearly 200 people marched from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., in defense of democracy back in September and the numbers only increased for the second We Are America march that ran from April 11-25 along the same trajectory — 160 miles from Independence Hall in Philly to Delaware to Maryland to D.C.

“The walk is a lifechanging experience,” Fortune expressed. “It was the first time I was surrounded by a large group that felt as strongly as I do about the direction our country is going. We didn’t agree on every topic, but we had a common goal — marching for our democracy and bringing the Constitution to Congress.”

According to information found on its website, We Are America marchers “do not march with demands for our government.”

“Defying generations of division sewn by hatred and fear throughout America, WAAM resistance is the fortification, connection and creation of community,” the group’s literature states.

All ages have participated in the marches with the mission to unite a movement that holds America’s leaders like President Donald Trump and his administration accountable in the face of atrocities ranging from climate regulation rollbacks to human rights violations, weaponizing trade policy and going to war, illegal deportations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers shooting people dead in the streets of Minneapolis.

Fortune reported that people from all walks of life and political views have participated in the marches and are committed to the movement surrounding them.

“WAAM is made up of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents,” she said, adding that during a section of the April march a young man who drove by them was inspired to join in. “He shared that he voted for Trump but couldn’t support what was now happening. He spoke with many members during those miles, and it showed us that the ship is turning and progress is being made. Our voices are being heard.”

While making their way through Maryland in April, there was a portion where they marched through “a deep red area.”

“Although many didn’t support our march, many others who did — more this time than last time,” Fortune said. “I hope that our march inspired more people to stand up, speak up, and know they are not alone. I hope it gave them courage to use their voice.”

She feels very strongly that the marches are making a difference and shared that for her, this last time around in April felt very different than the first one — in a positive way.

“This march there was much more support shown through honks, waves, and kind words,” Fortune said of the event last month. “More people and communities welcomed us in and had local leaders come speak with us.

When asked what her own personal motives are for protesting the government that continues to divide people, Fortune disclosed she has “a long list of reasons why.”

“I have a lot of privilege due to my family, upbringing, support systems, and race,” she said. “I feel strongly that it is my duty to use my privilege. The corruption within our politics from both sides of the aisle can’t be sustained. U.S. politics needs to change, and we have to ensure that our Constitution truly is applied to every person in the U.S. and not just for those with privilege. I also protest for my children and their future.”

She said she’ll continue protesting in the region with activist groups such as Indivisible Fitchburg and others, which she has been doing for a while in the hopes of uniting people in their cause — democracy for all.

“My plan is to protest more locally to show our local population that they can have the courage to protest and resist what is happening in our country,” Fortune relayed. “I know that some people are nervous about speaking up. With more of us out on the streets protesting and with signs in our yards, we can reassure them that it is ok to resist what is happening. They can join us.”