Women’s Marches in San Diego, North County focus on inclusion
It wasn't the giant collective roar or call to action of years past, but this year's Women's
"To the girls. Please, do not let anyone abuse you," Christman prayed. "Please, do not let anyone hurt you."
Twelve-year-olds Farah Jiménez and
Any concerns about fading enthusiasm or controversy at a national level did not overshadow the spirit of thousands in
At
"Today, I march for my nieces and for my godchildren and for all the children in my community because they deserve a future filled with opportunities," said keynote speaker
But the dip in numbers was not reflected by a dip in intensity, many attendees said.
"There was all this talk about was there still the enthusiasm from previous years," said
Some carried signs advocating for equal pay and abortion rights, while others referred to the #MeToo movement.
One sign read: "My arms are tired from holding this sign since the 1960's," reflecting on how long women have been fighting for equal rights.
The march also carried a heavy anti-Trump overtone. A popular sign read: "Off with his thumbs," with a picture of President
At a national level, organizers are facing allegations of anti-Semitism. Organizers for Women's
"We condemn antisemitism and any form of race or religion-based hate and will continue to work toward a more positive and just future," the local organizers said in a statement about the allegations.
The line-up of speakers reflected the organizers' effort at inclusion, and attendees took note.
Speakers included
"The woman we posses as a transgender woman is just as sacred and just as valid as any of our gender sisters here today," said Camarena to loud cheers. "We as transgender and non-binary people have every right to be front and center in this movement. We are stronger together."
"We need to be sure we aren't doing things to exclude people who look like me," said Williamson, who is a leader in the black community.
She added: "I want to ask each one of you to support black people. ... I also want to say when there is no politician that represents you, become one."
Attendees said the variety of speaker programming was their favorite part of the march.
"I like the diversity and the attempt to include different voices because I think an element of the women's movement has been exclusivity lately, but it's nice to see so much inclusion," said
Paulina Patiño, a 16-year-old from
Earlier in
In her welcoming remarks at the North County Women's March,
She congratulated women who had won seats in November to various
"We went from only two Latina (city councilmembers) in
There was one dissenter in the crowd, a 62-year-old
Everywhere he went Colgan was quickly surrounded by women who put their own signs in front of his to block his message, then argued with him.
Colgan said he was spreading his message amidst a contrarian crowd because "someone has to stand up for the little itty-bitty human beings they don't mind killing. Today it is me."
A group of anti-abortion protesters also engaged with the
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