"Women on Strike rally:" More than 100 gather in downtown Milwaukee on International Women's Day
More than 100 gather in downtown Milwaukee on International Women`s Day
More than 100 gather in downtown Milwaukee on International Women`s Day
MILWAUKEE -- Women across the world rallied on Wednesday, March 8th on International Women's Day -- including in Milwaukee to bring awareness to women's issues. Across the globe, women marched for equality and human rights for women and other oppressed groups, and many also took part in a demonstration of economic solidarity, called "A Day Without A Woman."
Groups on Wednesday evening gathered at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Milwaukee for what organizers called a "Women on Strike" rally.
Organizers said the purpose was to take time off on Wednesday to demand an end to violence against women and economic disparities, and promote reproductive rights.
Several organizations came together for the Milwaukee rally. Some took off work to participate. Others, like Amada Morales said they couldn't.
Amada Morales
"As a mother, as an activist in the community, our work is endless and it's almost impossible to strike," Morales said.
They stood together, demanding equality and promoting higher wages and reproductive rights.
"It's really uplifting to feel that you have so much support from people who are considering the women's struggle and the fact that we do have a lot to fight for," Morales said.
"All these movements are coming together in a visible way to remind all of us that there is a lot of resistance and that we are fighting back and that we're making a lot of progress," Pat Gowens, Welfare Warriors director.
Earlier Wednesday, a group of conservative women held a counter protest event in Brookfield. They said liberals have essentially taken over International Women's Day, and don't express the views of everyone.
Robin Moore
"We're not going to let just one group speak for all of us We just really want to counter the effect of the media being so full of the pink hat wearing obscenity screaming marches that are going on and they just don't speak for us. Our goal is to elevate the discussion and have true conversations where we can respect each other's thoughts and their sides of issues," Robin Moore with Right to Speak said.
Both events encouraged women to get involved and be a force for good.