There were an estimated
4,000-5,000 women that turned out to march through the Central London to mark International Women’s Day. The Million Women Rise March captured a powerful spirit of solidarity and protest against violence and discrimination faced by women and children worldwide.
Beginning at 12:30 at Hyde Park, the march was attended by women and children from all over the country: some were representing organisations, some representing themselves. The brightly coloured banners of all shapes and sizes could be seen dotted throughout the crowds, waving proudly in the wind. It wasn’t a sunny day, and had rained at one point, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. There were women singing, women dancing to the drums, women chanting, blowing whistles, playing brass instruments, playing home made instruments, women who didn’t even know each other standing together. The atmosphere was joyful and uplifting. Leaflets, information sheets were handed out to further the support for organisations that are being closed down (Southall Black Si
sters, Rape Crisis Centres).
The march was from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, where the Rally was to be held. We marched on loud and proud, making ourselves heard to the onlookers. People came out of restaurants, shops and offices to see us, in particular there was a woman on a hotel balcony showing her support by cheering for us. Bus drivers beeped, passengers in tourist buses looking on in amazement as we marched with unity and strength. People were taking photos with their camera, some were filming the march, and many just had their phones out to record the memorable day.
As we drew closer to the rally, we sang, we chanted, we danced to the beat of the drum; the excitement was so contagious that it drew onlookers in to join us. Survivors of domestic abuse, rape, sexual assault, discrimination…
Standing strong together. Women in wheelchairs attending the march, determined to show their support.
As we came towards the Trafalgar Square, the atmosphere was euphoric. We had been chanting consistently, it felt like the whole march was chanting the same one, we were nearly there. The feeling was just amazing for everybody, knowing that we had marched for our mothers, our sisters, our aunts, our daughters, our friends. Turning the corner to the rally, we saw a screen with the Million Women Rise symbol on it. A sense of triumph went throughout the crowd as we reached our point. We filled up the space in front of Nelson’s Column, awaiting the speakers we had come to support. The words on a huge screen read:
One Woman
One body
One song
One loveThere was a selection of speakers at the rally that left many of us tearful. We could hear and feel their words, understand the meaning and the strength behind them. There were women speaking who were survivors of domestic violence, an inspiration to all as they spoke with confidence and dignity. There were representatives from national and campaigning organisations such as Southall Black Sisters; Women’s Aid; Fawcett Society; Women’s Institute; Women and Girls Network and the Rape Crisis Federation.
It was a great day, and we had the opportunity to show our support as Birmingham Feminists. People looked at our banner with, what I hope was, approvement. We made our debut at MWR, chanted with the various groups that were there, and embraced the sisterhood that we have come to know. We are proud to be women, proud to be fighting for women, and we won't stop until we get justice.
sters, Rape Crisis Centres).
