20,000 people show up for Women’s March in Santa Ana

Jan. 20--An estimated 20,000 people are gathering in Santa Ana on Saturday, Jan. 20, marking the one-year anniversary of the Women's March that saw millions of people across the nation fired up in protest after President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Hundreds of marches are planned this weekend around the country and in other parts of the world.

This year's march plays out against a backdrop of the #metoo and #timesup movements, and as a surge of women run for public office, from school board to the U.S. Senate.

Organizers say the marches will represent a wide range of issues, including immigrant, worker and disability rights, and the environment.

The demonstrations are underway hours after the federal government shut down, with President Trump and Congress unable to cut a deal.

Led by six Native American women dressed in traditional garb, a diverse crowd of marchers stepped off at the corner of Flower Street and Civic Center Drive in Santa Ana and snaked around the block before spilling onto Main Street.

Waving thousands of signs, the marchers cheered and danced to songs by Cyndi Lauper and Beyonce. They chanted: "When we fight we win!"

Attendees said they were there to support many social justice causes, including women's rights, reproductive rights and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, known as DACA.

"I'm worried for the future of our country," said Lorraine Gayer of Huntington Beach, as she held a sign with a picture of the Statue of Liberty that read: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled Norwegians."

Holding a sign that read: "Now you've pissed off grandma," Sonja Dominguez, 80, of Fountain Valley said she was inspired by her granddaughter to march.

"I just can't bring myself to call that man president," she said. "He's not my president."

Many marchers who attended last year's the event said they were delighted to see as many, if not more, participants this time.

"It's wonderful to see so many people who feel the same way we do -- outraged," said Carol Hajdu, from San Fernando Valley. "But as exciting as this is, we hope we don't have to keep doing this for many years to come."

Jon Trask, 57 of Orange, walked among a crowd of women Saturday morning, cane in hand. He was still recovering from multiple back surgeries, but said he felt if he was well enough to walk at the gym, he was well enough to join the march.

He said he was particularly motivated by the poor state of health care and foreign policy.

"I would never feel quite unrepresented the way I feel now," Trask said. "You have to lend your weight to it, you have to at least show up. I'm not a sign maker, I'm not a big slogan person or anything -- but I should be here."

Some scenes from the march:

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