Thousands of people came out for the Women's March in downtown Vancouver Saturday on the anniversary of U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration and the historic Women's March on Washington last year.

Samantha Monckton, one of the organizers with March On Vancouver, said the march is to show solidarity with women in the U.S. and around the world as well as other marginalized groups.

"It's like a call to action. You hear a calling and you do it," she said. "We know that last year's been really difficult in terms of human rights."

Demonstrators filled Jack Poole Plaza before marching to Trump Tower and back. Some marchers gave the finger to the tower emblazoned with the U.S. president's name, and an employee at the tower came out and told marchers to calm down at one point.

The demonstration was otherwise peaceful and police have not indicated there were any incidents.

Vancouver women's march
A woman hold a sign as thousands of people attend a women's march in Vanocuver, B.C. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

A global movement

Similar marches took place across B.C. in Nanaimo, Victoria, Kelowna and Chilliwack. They mirrored larger demonstrations in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles and as far away as Europe.

Vancouver women's march
Thousands attend women's march in Vanocuver, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Organizers told the Canadian Press they feel a sense of momentum that has built since marchers first hit the streets last January. Sara Bingham with Women's March Canada said the Me Too movement is one example of women's voices being heard more clearly than they were a year ago.

U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration last year prompted women's marches around the world.

"All year, we've been waking up in a fresh new hell," Monckton said. "We're going to empower each other and stand up to that."

Trump tweeted Saturday suggesting women were celebrating.

Voices at Vancouver's march

Although attention is on the U.S. president's attitude towards women's rights, Monckton warned Canadians that the situation is far from perfect north of the border.

"The issues in Canada are childcare, pay equity and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls," she said. "We have a lot of work to do as Canadians."

 

Speakers from several intersectionally feminist organizations spoke at the march, some with clear demands for change.

"Childcare is a feminist issue," said Sharon Gregson with $10aDay childcare campaign for B.C. "We won't ever have equality for women until we have a quality, affordable childcare system in B.C."

Last year, organizers of the Vancouver Women's March issued a formal apology for not including any black or trans speakers. This year, Ariam Yetbarek alongside Azuka Kamdibe from Black Lives Matter took the stage.

So did Hailey Heartless, a trans sex worker based in Vancouver. She spoke about the importance of including trans women and sex workers in the women's movement.

"This is my first rally," she said. "After seeing a lot of the controversy online and mishandling of inclusiveness… I thought maybe I wasn't welcome so I stayed home."

Women's march Vancouver
Maelona Williams, 1, who is Musqueam, attends a women's march with her father in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday January 20, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Several men were also in attendance, including Jeremy Mendes who said he wants his young daughter to have the same opportunities as his sons.

"Seeing my grandmothers and mothers and the struggles they've had… I'm here to support women's rights," he said.

Monckton thinks it's essential that men be allies in the women's movement, and said that means much more than simply showing up to march.

"I think the takeaway for men is not only to be here and march, but also to stand up in your offices, in your relationships," she said.

With files from The Canadian Press