#WeShowUp campaign takes aim at “A Day Without a Woman” strike
Not everyone is getting behind Wednesday’s nationwide “A Day Without a Woman” protest effort.
Now there’s a protest of the protest.
Right2Speak, a recently formed group of "conservative and liberty-loving Americans" is taking to social media with what it describes as a "positive counter-movement" to the one-day women's "strike" that was scheduled to coincide with this year's International Women's Day.
“With disproportionate media attention going to the recent Women’s March movement, there is a very important story that is not being told,” said Right2Speak founder Toni Anne Dashiell of Texas. “Women are the difference makers ― we are more because #WeShowUp.”
Organizers of January’s high profile Women’s March have encouraged women around their country to underscore their value by staying home from work on Wednesday and spending money only at businesses that are female- or minority-owned.
Count us out, says Right2Speak, which instead wants women to flood social media with the messages #NotMyProtest and #WeShowUp.
Something as simple as sharing a cup of coffee with a friend can help show how valuable women are to the nation. #notmyprotest #right2speak pic.twitter.com/pU5kdpJOXn
— Right2Speak (@right2speakorg) March 8, 2017
The campaign, which also encourages women to post pictures of themselves “doing what they love to do,” in some ways echoes the #NotMyPresident hash tag many use to show displeasure with President Donald J. Trump. And at least one supporter of the Right2Speak effort turned it back against them on Wednesday.
A day without women? This is just a day "against Trump" #notmyprotest
— Becky (@Whovillewho) March 8, 2017
Others took to heart the overall message of the campaign and showed themselves showing up:
This is what I do, all day, every day - saving lives!! This is how I honor International Women's Day! #weshowup pic.twitter.com/QcaCdYuXrs
— Sherri Hayes (@Boobear0905) March 8, 2017
Move over #daywithoutawoman The strong women in America are showing up for work today #WeShowUp #Responsibility #RollModels pic.twitter.com/ewADUqrG0K
— Queen Puabi (@Queen_Puabi) March 8, 2017
Others offered more pointed criticisms of women on the other side who chose to march or stay home:
Drink your wine and hold your signs. Today, I'll keep bettering my family by giving my best. #weshowup #notmyprotest #HappyWomensDay
— Hollier. (@TheSquidopus) March 8, 2017
Women in pink hats do not speak for me! #WeShowUp #Right2Speak #NotMyProtest Lunching Mar8 w/strong women who stand up, show up & speak up!
— Susan Fountain (@susanwho2) March 8, 2017
Right2Speak suggests its goal isn’t to drown out the opposition, but rather to “proudly serve as a gracious counter-balance to the extreme liberal voices attempting to represent all women in the mainstream media and social media on matters of policy and personal freedoms.” To help spread the word, it’s also hosting “Power Lunches” in Ohio, Wisconsin and Texas on Wednesday.
