WASHINGTON 鈥� When Stephen Klatsky first heard of the Women鈥檚 March on Washington, he wondered if men would be invited or if they would be considered an interference with the purpose of the event.
Klatsky, a Washington resident, wrote a letter to the editor of The Washington Post, after reading several articles stating men were reluctant to join the march.
鈥淔or too long, men have been a part of the problem. I want to be part of the solution,鈥� the retired lawyer wrote in the letter.
Alongside his wife, Klatsky took to the streets of the nation鈥檚 capital to march for their three daughters and five granddaughters.
鈥淚鈥檓 marching to focus attention on that women can decide what they will be in their life, it鈥檚 not a decision for men to decide,鈥� he said.
Klatsky recalled when he was at Albany Law School in 1972, only four women were in his 128-person class. Additionally, as a military police officer in the U.S. Army, he was there when women were first integrated into that branch of the service.
鈥淭here were initial fears that women wouldn鈥檛 be able to protect the male officers – all ended up being hogwash鈥� .,鈥� Klatsky said. 鈥淏eing able to witness that was profound.鈥�
Men did march in numbers today in support of wives, sisters, daughters and family members with posters, 鈥減ussy hats,鈥� pins, T-shirts and more. Additionally, a MENofWM organization was created to rally men to come and march.
Patrick Nolan came from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, wearing a pink knit hat and Hillary Clinton campaign pins.
鈥淗ow could you not come down here if you鈥檙e a thinking person who values science, human rights and decency?鈥� Nolan said.
Nolan does not think that Trump will change his ways now that he is in office because he already 鈥渉ad his chance 鈥� he had 13 (chances) when he selected his cabinet.鈥�
鈥淚 think it was Maya Angelou who said, 鈥榃hen someone shows you who they are, believe them,鈥欌�� Nolan said.
Joe Breakey came from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to march for his 15-year-old daughter, who is at home with his husband.
鈥淚鈥檓 concerned about as she grows up and her rights are taken away as a woman, that’s really disturbing to me,鈥� Breakey said.
Breakey, wearing a blue t-shirt, with the world 鈥� I RESIST,鈥� came to march because he resists the new administration, feeling that Trump is not afraid to bully people.
鈥淚 feel like that bullying is now being put forth as something that is okay and that鈥檚 not okay with me,鈥� Breakey said.
Jolearra Tshietya, a project photographer for the James Webb Space Telescope, feels 鈥渋ndifferent鈥� about men coming out in support for women at the march.
鈥淚 feel men should always be beside us,鈥� Tshietya said. 鈥淭hey should always be ready and willing to support women at any time.鈥�
Tshietya herself came to march to support her friends , the sisterhood and to bond with women.
Adrian Kianne from Capitol Hill sat next to his wife, Jo Brooks, with a sign at his feet that read: 鈥淭his is what a feminist looks like.鈥�
鈥淗e has cared about women鈥檚 rights all his life,鈥� Brooks said.
Kianne came to support the march and all its causes – equality, friendship, 鈥渁nd all things we鈥檙e afraid we might be missing.鈥�
鈥淎ll the things that are going under the table and out of sight, we want to make sure that they stay on the top of the table and that everyone can see them,鈥� Kianne said.
