Thousands join global march in capital to campaign for women's rights

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Pic-march attender(wp)

staff reporter(wp/es):::

Huge crowds have gathered in central London for the global Women’s March to protest against violence against women and the impact of policies on austerity. 

Thousands of people carrying placards joined this year’s march, which is taking place in more than 30 countries around the world. 

This year's event was significantly smaller than 2017's protest, where close to 100,000 demonstrators took to London's streets - largely in response to the inauguration of President Trump the previous day.

The theme for the London chapter this year is “bread and roses,” in honour of the Polish-born American suffragette and worker’s rights campaigner Rose Schneiderman. 

After the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 where 146 - mainly female - garment-industry workers died, Schneiderman declared: “The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too.”

The rally began at midday and saw women March from Portland Place towards Regent Street, along Haymarket before ending at Trafalgar Square. 

Saturday marks the third anniversary of the first Women’s March in 2017, a day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, when as many as 6 million people around the world gathered in protest of his election. 

Last year, thousands gathered in central London for the Time’s Up rally, in honour of the campaign against sexual harassment and honouring the #MeToo movement.

The march in Washington this year is expected to smaller and more spointered amid inclement weather, an ideological split and reconfiguring of the route due to the government shutdown.

Several major sponsors withdrew this year and local chapters disaffiliated from the central organization which leads it, following allegations of antisemitism.

Saturday marks the third anniversary of the first Women’s March in 2017, a day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, when as many as 6 million people around the world gathered in protest of his election. 

Last year, thousands gathered in central London for the Time’s Up rally, in honour of the campaign against sexual harassment and honouring the #MeToo movement.

The march in Washington this year is expected to smaller and more spointered amid inclement weather, an ideological split and reconfiguring of the route due to the government shutdown.

Several major sponsors withdrew this year and local chapters disaffiliated from the central organization which leads it, following allegations of antisemitism.

"If you don't constantly keep fighting nothing is going to change."

Fellow student Frida Lorentzen said: "There are a lot of things going on everywhere and while you might not feel everything yourself it's important to show up."

Elsewhere, 16-year-old Eve Rooney,said: "I'm here to show my solidarity, to march with women who believe the same thing as me and to march for all those women who can't be here."

The leader of Women’s Equality UK Sophie Walker addressed the crowds.

“Patriarchy doesn’t just take women for granted, it relies on our oppression to ensure others thrive,” she said.

Leader of Women for Refugee Women Monica Aidoo told the crowds: “Refugee women desrve to be given a chance to thrive in the UK.”