Hi. I am Wakana Yokota, who goes to school in Boston now. I went to the protest in NY on Feb 15. It was a great experience, and I was really happy to be there being a part of the big crowd. I left Boston about 7:00 am and I arrived at 45 street, 9th ave in NYC at 10:30am. I was going to 47 street 1st ave, but police blocked streets so I couldn’t get there. Around 11:00am, many people gradually gathered and started walking, so I just followed them. There were many children and mothers and fathers, older poeple, young people. I even didn’t know how big the crowd was becuase I was in the middle of the people and hardly could see out side of the crowd(Iam short!). I just knew that there were so many people. People shouted into the sky,”we want peace!” Manhattan echoed with thier voices, which was the most beautiful, warmest, and strongest sound I ever heard.
There was a group of young people who were playing music and dancing. They were so beautiful. I haven’t seen such a beautiful thing for a while. I I saw many people moving thier bodies with music, smiling, and singing. That was such a beautiful moment in the world.
The protest was quite peaceful besides police. I ever saw so many police men at the same time. They blocked streets so every time people were blocked they had to find another way to go. Police took horses and cars and blocked streets. I heard some people were injured because a horse run into the crowd. I accidentally came in front, and a horse passed in front of me. That was scarely, but I was totally fine besides that.
People kept marching unitll 4 or 5 pm. I still feel like that I was in a dream. Feb 15 is definitely one of the greatest experiences in my life. I am very proud that I was with those warm and strong people in NYC.
Thank you very much.