International Women’s Day brings protests, marches in Bay Area: ‘Never stop fighting’

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A call to action for women across the Bay Area and the world. International Women’s Day events happened on Sunday, as activists called for equal pay, reproductive rights and justice for women everywhere.

Activists were on the move through San Francisco marching and rallying honoring women and defending their rights.

“Women like freedom,” chanted the crowd.

This year’s International Women’s Day is a both a celebration and call to action for equal pay, reproductive rights, education and justice. Some organizers were denouncing the war in Iran.

“It’s so important when women’s rights are under attack, to oppose fascism in all its forms and demand the Trump regime must go,” said Sully, who refuses fascism.

Paige McKerral and Deborah Wolfe are dressed as Suffragettes they’re concerned about efforts by Republican lawmakers to pass voter ID laws which they say will suppress Americans’ freedom to vote.

“I think it’s important to remember we did this once and we will do this again, we will never stop fighting for our rights,” Paige McKerral said.

In Oakland, action and activism around Lake Merritt. International Women’s Day has been observed for more than 100 years, officially recognized by the UN in 1977. The fight for rights goes on.

“We’ve seen the reversal of Roe. V. Wade, we’ve seen the impact on reproductive rights being taken away today, we’re here to tell the streets of Oakland and the world we’re still fighting for our liberation,” said Maisa Morrar from Palestinian Feminist Collective.

In the North Bay, activists were marching in Corte Madera. The town’s mayor sharing her wish for women everywhere.

“We all deserve equal opportunities to have equal pay in the workplace, we reserve the right to decide when we want to have children, or if we want to have them, we all desire the freedom to discover who we are and the chance to discover what we want to be,” said Mayor Rosa Thomas.