Thousands of people marched on the state capitol Saturday as part of the second annual National Women’s March movement.
From coast to coast, women’s marches took place across the country for the second year in a row, thousands filling the streets in cities including in Washington, Texas, New York and in California.
This year thousands turned out for the Hartford event.
Organizers and participants say Saturday’s event is just another beginning.
Thousands marched in Hartford in support of women. They also fought back against a president who they see as leading the country sometimes in the wrong direction.
“Just the feeling of community here and everyone supporting one another,” said Erika Rogers of Griswold.
Governor Malloy has proclaimed today to be #WomensMarchOnWashington Day in the State of Connecticut. @womensmarchct #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/J9g77wYRO9
— Governor Dan Malloy (@GovMalloyOffice) January 21, 2017
This comes on the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s inauguration. Many in the crowd also rallied against his policies and views during Women’s Marches last year.
“What inspired me is the love and peace and kickoff of last year has continued on,” explained Plainville resident Jennifer Zakrzewski.
There were also new faces here. Their motivation included what they call a painful last year.
“Our voices get louder but they’re still not being heard,” said Harwinton resident Gary Alger.
The goal is to show solidarity among women, especially in the wake of the “Me Too” and “Times Up” movements.
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But the event was designed to reach beyond that. Participants want to represent a wide range of concepts including ending violence, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA rights, workers' rights, civil rights, disability rights, immigrant rights and environmental justice.
“We sort of taking the theme of moment to movement. That the march last year was a moment and that we are marching on now to try to effect real change,” event organizer Sarah Raskin said.
From social justice to women’s rights to immigration, the group will continue to push back against the views of the Trump Administration.
“I think there’s no question that they hear us and ignore us. But I think in the rest of the country people are energized, people have become involved in political activity and activism,” Raskin said.
The group hopes to use that enthusiasm to build change.
Governor Dannel Malloy tweeted support for the march and declared Saturday #WeMarchOn Day in the State of Connecticut.
