Thousands march through DTLA for International Women's Day
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Thousands of people across Southern California took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles to commemorate International Women's Day.
The event, one of many worldwide, began at 10 a.m. in Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St. Participants made their way to City Hall.
The Women's March Foundation, who organizing the event, said the rally would include speakers, live music and discussion of "actionable next steps to keep our community engaged and empowered in the ongoing fight for equality.''
One of those speakers was labor activist Dolores Huerta, who urged the crowds to not give their dollars to corporations that don't respect women or marginalized groups.
The group, composed of mostly women, shared that they were standing up against some of the recent changes to women's reproductive rights, and also in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
"We are going backwards way too fast and we need to fight back as much as we can," said Angie Ottinger. "We need to push back so that the world that my kids live in is not worse than it is right now."
Jennifer Guthrie took her 10-year-old daughters Olivia and Lilian to one of their first marches, encouraging the next generation to stand up for what they believe in.
"If we can start learning this behavior young and learning to fight in a democracy and protest, that carries on," said Guthrie.
Her daughter Lilian, said she was at the march because she wanted "to support women's rights and everyone's rights and I want to live in a happy world".
While International Women's Day is March 8, participants said they will continue to fight every day until equality is a reality for all.
"We'll continue to march for as long as it takes to bring the world together, to promote love and understanding among everybody, every nation, every color," said Ruby Simpkins.
More information is available at womensmarchfoundation.org.
