What? Me Worry?

May 6, 1937 Women's Anti Fascism March, from Ybor City to downtown Tampa

I have not participated in a protest march since I joined the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power plant protest. It was in 1974 and wasn’t a blip on our nation’s radar. This was years before the March 28, 1979 nuclear accident and subsequent meltdown of nuclear reactor #2 which eventually closed Three Mile Island. 

In 1979 I was living in California, the happy mother to a toddler. Protests were a distant memory as I was awash in navigating mothering and building friendships. Myself and my women friends were supporting one another with babysitting, diapering, nursing, playgroups, and shared ideas on how to raise our kids. We could barely take a shower every day, let alone attend political rallies or marches.

Recently, I attended a discussion of the book, Ybor City, Crucible of the Latina South by author Sarah McNamara. Sarah’s firsthand knowledge of Ybor City history and the female cigar workers opened my eyes to the importance of Ybor City in Tampa’s history. While I had always loved Ybor City and its history, restaurants, bars, music, shops and museums, I had known nothing of the anti-fascist movement of 1937. I had no knowledge of female union members and their work as cigar makers or the beginning of the anti-fascist movement by women cigar makers. 

Mural by Michelle Sawyer depicting May 6, 1937 Anti-Fascist Women's March

After her discussion Sarah introduced Michelle Sawyer,  the artist who created the mural depicting the May 6, 1937 Anti-Fascism March. This mural can be viewed at the City Development Corporation building located at 2015 E. 7th Ave.  The women in the mural are three women who were instrumental in the march against fascism:  front: Margot Falcón Blanco, great-aunt of Sarah McNamara; Middle: Luisa Morenó, first woman organizer hired by the American Federation of Cigar Workers, and upper left corner, Dolores Ibárruri who coined the phrase  ¡No Pasarán! (They shall not pass!)

These women felt that “Change only happens if many people stand together.” On May 6, 1937 they stood together against Franco, the destruction of Guernica, the Civil War of Spain and Fascism.  

An anti-fascism march? Here, in the United States? Why? The definition of fascism in Merriam-Webster Dictionary is, “A political philosophy or system that exalts nation and race above the individual and suppresses opposition.” and,  from World Population Review, “Fascist leaders and dictators...seize power through the strength of their rhetoric and charisma,” That certainly applied to Hitler, Mussolini, Franco, José Antonio Primo de Rivera and Putin. What did this have to do with me?

Democracy amongst Centennial Park Chickens

Since November 7, 2024 I had studiously avoided the news after becoming angry and disenchanted with politics over which I had no control. I was following Alfred E. Newman’s philosophy of, “What? Me Worry?” Instead of watching the news every morning I now watch the birds at my Birdfy camera feeder. Their antics are far more entertaining than leaders in our government. Yes, my winged friends fight and argue, and kick one another off the feeder. But the under birds of their society always return to spend more time stuffing themselves with seeds. Often, they are joined by previous adversaries.  Their society seems pretty Democratic. 

Centennial Park After-March gathering

Speakers: Sarah McNamara, Michelle Sawyer

News has a way of creeping in through unlocked avenues on the internet and in my mind. I didn’t like what I was hearing in the neighborhood and from friends. It was becoming difficult to hire workers who I had trusted in the past as they went “underground” and were no longer available, or even visible. Friends of mine were forced to fill out questionnaires from Elon Musk representing DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency). The questionnaire required all employees of the Veterans Administration to answer the question: “What did you do today?”  Some employees were fired as Elon Musk and the  DOGE deemed their work was superfluous and not necessary.  National Park employees are feeling their positions of many years at risk, including the son of a dear friend employed with the California Park Service.

When Cathy invited me to join her in the May 6, 2025 Anti-Fascism March in Ybor I found many excuses not to go. It would be hot. There would be a lot of walking, which is always a challenge to me and my complaining body. Finally I realized actions speak louder than words.  I put on my walking shoes and joined about 150 other women on the 88th anniversary of the 1937 Anti-Fascist March in Ybor. 

Immigrant Statue, Centennial Park, Ybor

We had all been nervous about hecklers, but thankfully only three individuals attempted to silence us. One “overserved” woman standing outside a bar screamed profanities at us. A motorcyclist with an extremely loud muffler revved his engine, threatening to mow us down. Then there were the usual yahoos screaming at us from a pickup truck. The Tampa PD were present, keeping an eye out for problems with these individuals. 

I have to thank the hecklers. They provided an important incentive. They convinced me that protest was, and is, necessary.  A woman about my age confided that she had never been part of any march or protest before, “This president made me a protestor, ” she said. 

I was at the right place at the right time, aching back, hips, knees and feet were all worth my being part of this May 6, 2025 event commemorating the courage the 7,000 women in 1937 who were part of the first anti-Fascist march in our country. On our march, several women pointed to their ancestors in the photo who were present at the 1937 March. Many of the signs held by marchers proclaimed shared desires: Fight Truth Decay, If You’re Not Outraged You’re Not Paying Attention, Democracy not Fascism, ¡No Pasarán, Military Veteran who fought for Freedom not Fascism, and many more. Whether holding a sign overhead, walking together or alone, we all shared the same enthusiasm: dedication to our country's Democracy. Christina of Progressive Power Coalition, March organizers

The realization that anti-fascism could even be part of our collective communication was sobering. I had never dreamed I would be marching against Fascism in our country. Yet here I was, spurred on by stories in my neighborhood, from friends, relatives and strangers. All one has to do is listen to hear the undercurrent of danger in our midst. It is time to worry.

Let’s all honor the courageous women of 1937 who continue to remind us of the importance of preserving our Democracy. We own our Democracy and our right to protest. It is a gift we must not only cherish, but preserve. These women of 1937 and others throughout our history are our legacy.  Let’s not ignore their voices. Speak up! We are all in this together.  ¡No Pasarán!