Photo: Screenshot/ABC News
Women across the United States held rallies on Saturday, to highlight a wide-ranging agenda including support for women to run for public offices, and demanding equality and elimination of sexual harassment.
The rallies coincided with the first anniversary of President Donald Trump’s White House term that began last year after he won the 2016 election.
New York, Washington D.C. and several other major cities witnessed enthusiastic participation of women and human rights activists as well as political leaders. Women in other countries also held demonstrations on the same day.
At a rally at the reflecting pool outside the Capitol Hill, Senator Tim Kaine addressed the gathering, the Democratic female candidates won around a dozen races in Virginia’s 2017 election.
Very proud to be at the #WomensMarch2018 with my daughter. This fight is far from over — let's keep making our voices heard for women's rights. pic.twitter.com/jwto8JMMlI
— Tom Perez (@TomPerez) January 20, 2018
Speakers said the momentum generated by women’s march last year has seen a wave of women’s political participation and vowed to make a difference in the 2018 election for the House of Representatives.
This year’s demonstrations take place in the backdrop of #MeToo movement that saw several women come forward with accounts of sexual harassment that led to exit of several powerful figures including Harvey Weinstein and TV anchors.
President Donald Trump reacted to the women’s march in a tweet, saying women should celebrate his administration’s economic achievements.
Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
In Washington D.C. women marched on the National Mall and also staged a rally outside the White House.
The organizers of rallies tried to bring in speakers from diverse populations, and expressed their opposition to President Trump’s actions DACA, travel ban and plans to build a wall along U.S.-Mexico border.
A number of young dreamers, who have been living in the United States since they were brought here as undocumented children – also spoke at the rallies to demand that they continue to live in the United States as dreamers.
A day before the women’s march on Saturday, women reflective Conservative policies held a rally to show their support with March for Life in Washington D.C. The participants reaffirmed the backing for pro-life and anti-abortion stances. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence addressed the marchers via video from the White House.
“We are with you all the way,” President Trump said, according to a Voice of America report.
The 2017 was an usually active year for Democratic-leaning advocates and activists of women’s rights. Political commentators noted the women’s heightened awareness in the year built around #MeToo movement played a role in the Democratic victory in a Senate race in deep red state of Alabama.
The two parties are expected to step up their political messaging this year ahead of November election for the U.S. House of Representatives, which elects members every two years.
