In the wake of the already infamous Wal-Mart ruling, the atmosphere in front of the U.S. Supreme Court was defiant on Tuesday as protesters gathered to voice their grievances. Together, women and men stood in front of the building protesting the court’s 5-4 ruling in Wal-Mart v. Dukes, which prevented the women of Wal-Mart from suing the mega-corporation as a nationwide, class-action group.
The protesting crowd, composed mostly of women’s organizations like AAUW, advocated in unison for fair pay — waving signs and starting chants to inform all passersby and the onlooking media that this ruling is an affront to women’s parity. In one instance, the rally leader called the supporters to “show me what democracy looks like!” The vocal protestors responded by shaking signs and shouting back, “THIS is what democracy looks like!”
Looking at the gathered crowd filled with diverse faces — young and old, men and women — it was impossible to deny this reality. The American people desire pay equity.
The protest solidified a cohesive, definite message — injustice will not win. The Supreme Court chose to ignore more than 40 years of established jurisprudence and severely restricted the ability of workers to fight discrimination together in a class-action suit. While the ruling is an obvious disappointment, it does not mark the end of struggles for pay equity or the end of Wal-Mart’s struggles with women. The 12,000 women already signed up to file discrimination suits against the company will not be silenced.
Those present at the rally, and many who were not present yesterday, stand with these women. The U.S. Supreme Court does not have the final say in the destinies of these women or in the destiny of this movement. Echoing this sentiment, AAUW staff proudly bore the sign “The U.S. Supreme Court can be wrong! Just ask Lilly Ledbetter!”
The bottom line remains: This is not over.
This post was written by AAUW Public Policy and Government Relations Intern Sara Baker
AAUW Dialog 
How many men shop at Mal*Wart? If all the women stopped shopping at Mal*Wart and let them know why things would change. I never shop at Mal*Wart as far as I am concerned they do not exist. I only use cash I don’t support the banks by using their credit/debit cards either. We have the power to bring them down, keep your money in your pocket.
This decision and the treatment of women by WalMart is sick, sick, sick. it reminds me of the middle east where women are just objects to be used by men with no rights. It is time for every woman in America (and the world too) to unite and show men and WalMart and others who want to hold them “down” that this is going to stop once and for all. Women are human beings and equal to men and in many ways much better. So unite women – let’s go to battle.
I missed the rally, so I’m thrilled to read such a fabulous description. Thanks!