As Vice President Kamala Harris gears up for her presidential campaign against Republican Donald Trump, abortion rights have taken center stage. This theme resonated deeply among the crowd at the annual Women’s March, where passionate voices filled the air.
“Voting for the candidate who will support our rights as women is what matters most to me,” declared 19-year-old Leah Brooker, who made the trip from North Carolina. She proudly shared that she had already cast her ballot in early voting, describing the experience as “empowering” since her first vote was for a woman. Holding a sign that read, “If boys will be boys, then women will be presidents,” she was just one of many expressing their hopes for change.
The crowd was alive with messages on their signs, such as “Voting prevents unwanted presidencies” and “A woman’s place is in the Oval Office.” Organizers estimated that around 15,000 people turned out, with sister marches taking place in cities across the country.
Under the iconic dome of the U.S. Capitol, speakers at Freedom Plaza rallied the crowd in support of the 60-year-old Harris. “We’re not going back!” they chanted, echoing one of her campaign slogans. Among them was Marlene Wagner, a 70-year-old retiree from Nebraska, who said she marched “for my grandkids and my children because I fear for their future.” In her home state, abortion is banned after just 12 weeks, a restriction that followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in 2022, influenced by justices appointed by Trump.
The energy at the march highlighted the urgent concerns of many as they advocate for their rights and the future they envision.
