International Women's Day: Hundreds hold rally in downtown LA

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Hundreds of women gathered in downtown Los Angeles where there were three events held to mark International Women's Day on Wednesday.

The day started with a sea of red at City Council chambers. Nearly 200 women, all wearing red, stood behind Councilmember Nury Martinez as she spoke. Martinez is the only female member of the City Council.
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"Our voices must be heard, especially the ones who are just trying to survive their day by day," she said.

Martinez spoke of the importance of the women's movement, which has mobilized thousands of women to stand up and be heard - not just in L.A. but throughout the country and around the world.

In the afternoon, a rally was at Grand Park to protest violence, poverty, discrimination and wage gaps.



"I believe in equality, equality in every aspect of life, whether it's jobs, whether it's healthcare, whether it's the amount of money we make, whether it's sharing the work at home," said one woman at the rally.
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A third event in downtown L.A., a protest calling for change, was expected to end at 6 p.m.



International Women's Day coincides with a nationwide one-day strike called "A Day Without A Woman." Organizers - the same group behind the Women's March on Washington - are asking women not to work. It was inspired by the Day Without Immigrants demonstration on Feb. 16, according to organizers.

MORE: Things you need to know about A Day Without A Woman demonstration