Thousands turn out for Women’s March in Santa Cruz

It was a sea of pink in downtown Santa Cruz on Saturday. Thousands of people of all ages turned out for the city’s version of the 2018 Women’s March.

Participants shared with us why they were there.

“I am here to support all people in the United States. The dreamers, the CHIP kids, the El Salvadorians, everybody.”
“We believe in women and what they can do”

One family that spoke with KION showed up with three generations of activists.

“I’ve been an activist since I was 12, I took my first women’s studies class in 7th grade, I’ve been campaigning for forty years, I’m very sorry to see sexual violence and sexual harassment an incomplete revolution.”
“We’ve been marching for this since the 60’s we thought we had it done, but no every generation.”

The youngest says she shows it takes more than a march to make a difference. .

“You have to do your research, you have to look into the history of systems of oppression, listen to people of color when they’re talking about their experiences as well as other marginalized groups. So it;s definitely great to be here and see the signs, but we have to do more.”

Organizer Cynthia Hawthorne says standing together is more important now than ever.

“We’re not in the constitution, we haven’t passed the ERA and what we have to do right now is fight together for women’s rights which are human rights and when we fight together for our families and our children, we take care of everyone.”