Ocasio-Cortez: Being polite not the same as being quiet
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What we covered here
What happened: Thousands of demonstrators showed up in cities across the US to rally for the third year of women’s marches.
The controversy: Leaders of Women’s March Inc. were plagued by allegations of bigotry in recent months. But the accusations didn’t stop many demonstrators. “Because nothing is perfect,” one told CNN.
The agenda: Ahead of the 2020 elections the Women’s March unveiled its new policy priorities, which include proposals addressing issues like violence against women and environmental justice.
This is what the women's marches looked like across the US
Women and their allies turned out in cities across the country and marked the third consecutive year of women’s marches.
Not all of them operated under the flag of the main Women’s March in Washington D.C., thanks in part to accusations of bigotry in the organization’s leadership — accusations that were strongly denied.
Here’s what the marches looked like in different US cities.
Washington, D.C.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
New York City:
Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Boston:
Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images
Chicago:
Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images
Denver:
Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post/Getty Images
Seattle:
Augie Martin
Los Angeles:
Damian Dovarganes/AP
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Get a bird's-eye view of the New York City march
From CNN's David Williams
Activists in New York City gathered around Central Park and Columbus Circle today for one of two marches in Manhattan.
Shari Cohen shot video of the march from a 7th floor window overlooking Columbus Circle. In the video, drummers lead the way as protesters carrying signs follow.
Check out her footage:
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Gillibrand: "Our movement is empowered when all of us lift each other up"
From CNN's Dan Merica
Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand condemned anti-Semitism at a women’s march in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was campaigning for president.
Gillibrand also said her vision for the country was anchored by confronting President Donald Trump and ensuring gender equality.
The Women's March leadership just addressed the accusations of anti-Semitism
The Women’s March leadership took the stage in Washington and tackled the elephant in the room: accusations of anti-Semitism in the movement.
“Over the last year, my sisters in Women’s March and I have faced accusations that have hurt my soul,” said board member Carmen Perez-Jordan. “Charges of anti-Semitism and neglecting our LGBTQIA family. And I want to be unequivocal in affirming that Women’s March and I and my sisters condemn anti-Semitism and homophobia and transphobia in all forms.”
Tamika Mallory, one of the movement’s co-presidents, echoed those sentiments, saying, “To all my sisters, I see you.”
About the controversy: Today’s marches come as allegations of anti-Semitism against the leaders of the national Women’s March Inc. and the main Washington march pushed some rally organizers in other cities to disassociate themselves from that group.
Days after the 2018 midterm elections, the original founder of the Women’s March called for four leaders to step down for allegedly allowing bigotry into their mission.
The group has released numerous statements condemning anti-Semitism and vowing to learn from its missteps through trainings and discussions — pledges that people associated with the group say are underway.
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These are the signs people are carrying in Seattle
A women’s march is underway in Seattle. Many of the protesters are carrying signs — here’s a look at some of the ones CNN spotted.
“Ugh, where do I even start”
“If you don’t fight for all — you fight for none.”
“Real men are feminists”
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This mom and daughter from Texas bought their tickets to DC after the Kavanaugh hearing
From CNN's Jessica Dean
Gina Lopez and her daughter Leah Lopez traveled from Houston, Texas, to be at today’s Women’s March in Washington, DC.
They said they planned the trip after the September confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault.
“We just had enough, we’ve absolutely had enough — the wall, Kavanaugh, the whole thing. We just finally decided it’s time, it’s time to come here and march,” Gina Lopez said.
Watch more:
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The Women's March has been surrounded by controversy. This marcher isn't bothered by it.
Childs attended the inaugural Women’s March on Washington in 2017, and said it was “nothing like I’ve ever experienced before.”
Another marcher, Carmella Ormando, said she had no reservations about attending today’s march, despite concerns about anti-Semitism.
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says NYC rallies have the same message
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the two women’s marches in New York City today share the same message.
CNN caught up with Ocasio-Cortez while she attended the Women’s March Alliance near Central Park. She’s scheduled to speak at the “Women’s Unity Rally” at Foley Square in lower Manhattan later today.
Ocasio-Cortez speaks with CNN’s Jason Carroll:
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This marcher says she's tired of the "racism that comes out of the President's mouth"
From CNN's Stephanie Becker
Sandra McCluskey, of Palm Springs, California, said she was one of 20 people who took a bus to the march in Los Angeles. It’s the retired nutritionist’s third year at a women’s march.
McCluskey wore a green jacket, the back of which read, “I care do you,” a reference to the infamous jacket First Lady Melania Trump wore on the way to the US-Mexico border last summer to visit a shelter for immigrant children.
Stephanie Becker
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There are 2 marches in New York City, just 4 miles apart
Protesters hold signs during the Women's Unity Rally at Foley Square, one of two rallies in New York City today.
ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images
Two women’s marches are underway in New York City today.
The Women’s March Alliance is holding its third annual march in Manhattan. That march runs along the west side of Central Park and through Columbus Circle. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was spotted among the marchers this morning.
Then there’s the “Women’s Unity Rally” at Foley Square in lower Manhattan. Demonstrators packed the square Saturday for the protest.
Scheduled speakers there include New York City first lady Chirlane McCray and women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem. Ocasio-Cortez is also expected to make an appearance at that rally.
Columbus Circle and Foley Square are about four miles apart.
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There's a counterprotest of women who say they don't feel welcome at the Women's March
From CNN's Nikki Carvajal
A smaller group of women gathered in Washington Saturday for a counterprotest called the March For ALL Women.
The group’s website says the event is for women who might not agree with the politics of the main Women’s March.
One woman there told CNN she came to the counter protest because she felt like Trump supporters weren’t welcome at the Women’s March. She also went to yesterday’s March for Life, she said.
One woman held a sign that said “The Women’s March doesn’t define me.” Another woman’s said “We all deserve to to be head.”
Watch More: Women’s Marches underway across the country
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is with the marchers in New York City
Jessica Moskowitz/CNN
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was spotted at the New York City women’s march at Columbus Circle.
At 29, Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. Her surprise primary victory against 10-term incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley shook the political establishment last summer.
There’s another New York City rally today: Demonstrators packed part of Foley Square in lower Manhattan for a “Women’s Unity Rally” on Saturday. Organizers said they aim “to demand equal justice for black women, immigrant women, women of color, and gender nonconforming people.”
Ocasio-Cortez is scheduled to speak at that rally as well.
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Los Angeles marcher: "Our voices need to be heard"
From CNN's Stephanie Becker
March attendees have started gathering in Los Angeles.
Among them were Gyasmine George-Williams and Christine Guzmán, who said they were marching because “our voices need to be heard.”
Here’s a look at the signs they are carrying today:
Stephanie Becker
Meanwhile, Yanti Palleschi, of Sherman Oaks, sat at a table covered in paper and markers, working on a sign. The single mom and non-profit board member pointed to the history made by women in the midterm elections last year, but said she hopes to see more progress made in the future.
Yanti Palleschi makes a sign ahead of the women's march in Los Angeles.
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Some cities canceled marches this year because of controversy
From CNN's Madeline Holcombe
Today marks the third year of women’s marches, and thousands are expected to march in cities across the US — but during the past few weeks, there’s also been controversy over leadership, an evolving agenda and inclusion.
Women’s March on Washington-Ohio Chapter announced on Facebook that it has canceled the Cincinnati Women’s March, citing an inability to confirm a location or secure event insurance.
The group also acknowledged obstacles to making the event feel inclusive, both in the event’s history and due to recent controversy.
“With issues of exclusion of women of color in the past two Cincinnati marches to the concerns about antisemitism on the national level, many women and femmes are experiencing hurt, anger and distrust of one another,” the statement on Facebook said. “Over the course of the next year we hope to provide opportunities to explore those sentiments, to learn from each other and to hopefully bridge the divide.”
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This is what the Berlin's women's march looked like today
Carsten Koall/Getty Images
Women’s marches isn’t limited to the US.
Activists rallied in Berlin this morning for the Women’s March 2019, too. That march was organized by Democrats Abroad and was scheduled to coincide with the women’s marches taking place today across the US.
Here’s what the march looked like in Germany today:
Carsten Koall/Getty Images
Carsten Koall/Getty Images
Carsten Koall/Getty Images
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There was another march in DC yesterday
Anti-abortion activists participate in the March for Life on Friday.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
Today’s Women’s March isn’t the only rally in Washington, DC, this week.
Anti-abortion protesters gathered yesterday for the annual March for Life, which has taken place every year since 1974. Since the Supreme Court ruled abortion legal in 1973, marchers have descended upon Washington to protest the decision.
The event included a video message from President Donald Trump and an address by Vice President Mike Pence.
These are the priorities guiding the Women’s March this year (and ahead of 2020)
From CNN's Emanuella Grinberg
In 2017 the Women’s March was about building community. In 2018, the movement focused on the midterm elections.
Now the Women’s March will be guided by a new policy document the group released on Friday, listing legislative and policy priorities that will serve as a road map to the 2020 elections.
The Women’s Agenda includes proposals addressing issues like…
Violence against women
LGBTQIA+ rights
Immigrant rights
Civil rights and liberties
Environmental justice.
Those priorities were compiled by more than 50 experts from organizations like the ACLU, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Indigenous Environmental Network, Planned Parenthood and the National Council of Jewish Women among many, many others.
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Why this year's Women's March is surrounded in controversy
This year’s marches come as concerns about diversity and inclusion continue to rattle groups across the country.
Days after the 2018 midterm elections, the original founder of the Women’s March called for four leaders to step down for allegedly allowing bigotry into their mission.
The group has released numerous statements condemning anti-Semitism and vowing to learn from its missteps through trainings and discussions — pledges that people associated with the group say are underway.
Watch more:
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It's going to be cold, snowy and rainy at the Washington march
From CNN's Judson Jones
As protesters across the country take to the streets today, many will have to contend with a winter storm sweeping across the northeast.
In the nation’s capital: Folks marching in Washington can expect light flurries and a wintry mix as they start the day. That precipitation should turn to rain by the afternoon, but temperatures are only expected to climb into the mid- to upper-30s.
Further north: Marches in the Northeast won’t have to deal with that precipitation until later in the day. New York won’t see snow until around 4 p.m. and Boston won’t get any snow until the evening.
But it’s going to be cold. While temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s, it’ll feel more like it’s in the 20s, thanks to the wind chill.
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