Joy!  Who would have thought it? It was a happy gathering: women coming together to protest about Trump’s stance on women and the inherent threat to women’s rights – and, by extension, to human rights. The atmosphere was light and smiling, even though the message was serious. The placards were funny too: ‘Ovaries Without Borders’ was one; ‘This pussy has claws’ was another. Joining in with the small crowd of women gathering around Nye Bevan’s statue in Queen Street Cardiff on Saturday was a very positive experience. The sun was shining and the sky was that bright blue that almost shines too. And it was cold!

I felt both glad to be there, and a bit sceptical. But I had (just!) finished knitting my ‘pussyhat’ and was determined…And then, it turned out that the women there were really, really nice. Not at all like the embittered doyennes of the hard left I had half expected. These were regular women. Real women. And from all over: the woman next to me, a New Zealander, had travelled from Bristol – to make sure her presence was ‘counted’. Arrangements for the Sister march in Bristol had been slow to materialize and so, she said, she had come all the way to Cardiff to make sure she was making a stand that was noticed. That’s commitment. Women of all ages, with their toddlers, their grand daughters, their friends – and their male supporters too (‘Brothas for Sistas’).

People were open and friendly, welcoming and chatty to each other. And as the number of pink hats grew, people complimented each other on them. No competitiveness, no one-upmanship – just pure togetherness. So unexpected and so joyous.

It was wonderful to experience. The feeling of support. As an immigrant ex-pat American, one can start to feel a bit isolated at times like these, when US policy pronouncements or actions become particularly negative – ‘Shock and awe’ statements, etc – and now Trump, the most divisive figure yet to emerge, and the most hateful, it has to be said, because that is his currency. So, in feeling so embarrassed for my country and my people, I expected some disdain and even disgust. But no, none of that. Just positive vibes from all sides of the crowds.

Of course, there were the usual speeches, impossible to hear ‘What did she say?’ and then ‘It doesn’t matter’, but  with a smile – and, of course, it didn’t. We were all there together, and knew why. It was the being there that mattered. I was so proud of those women, in Wales, on Saturday – and so glad to be there. Thank you one and all. And thank you Women’s Action Network for organising the event. I think we have a busy 4 years ahead so don’t throw your hats out just yet…