Tori Moore, 22 of Atlanta, GA, was initially planning on attending only the inauguration of America’s 45th president, Donald J. Trump.  That is until she learned the Women’s March on Washington was scheduled to take place the day after.

“I got the tickets, I called my mom, and she was like ‘oh my gosh, the Women’s March is the next day, let’s stay for that!’  So it was like one big thing,” Moore said.

Moore registered for and won inauguration tickets through her senator, Johnny Isakson, and decided to stay for the Women’s March on Washington. A recent college graduate with a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of South Carolina, Moore’s initial interest was to take part in the peaceful transition of power that highlights American democracy.

She arrived at the decision to demonstrate on behalf of the freedom of the press after consultation with her mother. Moore’s mother, Jo, 58, was drawn to stay for the marches to protest specific Trump cabinet nominations, namely Betsy Devos for secretary of Education.

By attending both the inauguration and subsequent protests, Moore and her mother were able to view both sides of a nation divided.

 

MOORE DISCUSSING WHY SHE AND HER MOTHER DECIDED TO PROTEST

Protests and marches took place in cities all over the country. Athens, Georgia was no exception.  On Inauguration Day, several local organizations demonstrated in downtown Athens, drawing the largest crowd ever for a march, according to Athens4Everyone. 

The marches in Athens and around the country demonstrated a fervent opposition

to the new administration. However, there are those who do not agree with the tactics being used or the reasons for protesting.

Last week, Sean Spicer, press secretary for the Trump administration, made headlines during his first formal press briefing with claims the inauguration of President Trump was the most viewed inauguration in history, both in person and via broadcast.

Moore and her mother were two of the millions of women and supporters who traveled the country to demonstrate against the Trump administration. Together they traveled 638 miles to attend

both events and were able to see first-hand the difference in both crowd size and energy from Friday to Saturday.

MOORE DESCRIBES DIFFERENCES IN CROWD SIZE BETWEEN INAUGURATION AND WOMEN’S MARCH

While most people visiting Washington D.C. on inauguration weekend were decidedly in one camp or another, Moore and her mother were able to witness both events on this historic weekend for the United States. As Moore stated, bridging the gap in the political divide is certainly needed moving forward.

“We need it now more than ever,” Moore said.

Some of Moore’s favorite signs from the Women’s March on Washington.

Photos courtesy of Tori Moore, Twitter and Instagram: @vtorimoore. 

By: Patrick O’Shea, Nathan Toburen, Caroline Windham, Kelly Quinn