Sacramento Women’s March Draws Thousands To California’s Capitol

Judy Stokes has attended each of the previous two women’s marches, but she says she arrived at Saturday’s gathering in Sacramento with some skepticism.

Things haven’t improved politically in the past years, she said. “But I am inspired,” she told CapRadio after the march. “My inspiration was renewed among this group of wonderful people.”

Thousands of women — and men, children and pets — marched from Southside Park in downtown Sacramento to the Capitol on Saturday morning. They held signs championing everything from womens’ rights to LGBTQ equality, and also several demanding impeachment of President Trump.

For Taylor White, with the activist group Stand For A Greater Good, her No. 1 goal at the march was getting Trump out of office. “He is a Russian agent. He belongs in jail, and he absolutely needs to go,” White said.

Trump was scheduled to address the nation on Saturday afternoon to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, an issue that upset Connie Rieken, who was visiting Sacramento from Illinois. She described the march as “wonderful.”

“It expresses our outrage at what is happening in our country and our desire to make things better,” Rieken said.

UC Davis student Elora Benzakein said LGBTQ rights was a huge reason she marched on Saturday. “I’m wearing a rainbow heart on my cheek right now, so anything related to LGBT equality is really important to me,” she said.

A spokesperson with California Highway Patrol would not estimate the number of attendees at Saturday’s march, but concession among attendees was that, while thousands marched through the streets of downtown in a procession that extended nearly a dozen blocks, the turnout was not as high as in previous years.

But that did not discourage Judy Stokes. “Seeing all ages, seeing lots of men here, seeing all these people that share my values and my dismay about what’s happening,” she said, “it’s time.”

Taryn Ryan of Auburn marches with a toupee sign during the #WomensMarch2019. (Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

Activist organizations "Raging Grannies" sang protest songs against President Trump. (Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

 

Participants in the Women's March held signs and balloons on 8th Street in Sacramento. (Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

 

Participants in the Women's March arrived at the State Capitol. (Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)

 

Dancers in front of the Capitol during the Women's March 2019. (Andrew Nixon / CapRadio)