Nearly 40,000 marchers gathered at the San Diego Waterfront Park with a message, “A woman’s place is in the House…and the Senate.”
Women’s March II focused on electing more women to public office and increasing the number of women in corporate board rooms, airline cockpits, surgical centers and other male-dominated professions.
“Hear Our Vote” was the theme of the 2018 march, and many of San Diego County’s best-known female elected officials were on hand to serve as role models and encourage other women to follow in their footsteps. Among them were Assembly Member Dr. Shirley Weber, Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher and San Diego Council Member Barbara Bry.
“This is our time,” said Bry. “This is our year. We can, and we must, put women where they belong — in public office everywhere.”
Gonzalez Fletcher said more women of color need to register and vote, particularly younger women of color who largely sat out the 2016 presidential election. Research by the Pew Charitable Trust and NBC concluded that tens of millions of eligible millennials did not vote, especially Latinos and African Americans. Young people could have enormous power in the United States if they voted in great numbers, said Gonzalez Fletcher.
“We need to hit the polls and vote for equity, justice and dignity for all,” she said. “If we don’t, things will not change. And things need to change!”
Immigrant women were also encouraged to get involved with the political system and to weigh in on matters affecting their communities. Marison Quezada, 44, a dancer from the Danza Mexi’Cayolt group, said Latinos are not exercising their political potential because they are not voting in large enough numbers.
“Too many Latinas are living in fear. How do you explain that to your kids? How do you make them understand?” she said. “Explaining to your kids that you do not have a voice, a say in this country, leaves me living in consuming fear. (American immigration) policies are constantly changing and all they can do is adapt.”
Debbie Wiggs said she joined the protest to send a message to right-wing elected officials and government employees.
“I’m marching to show the strength in numbers,” she said. “We have a lot of work to do. There are twice the people here today then there were last time. Republicans should be worried.”
Wiggs said she is optimistic that the United States will have a woman as president in the future, but doubtful it will happen soon.
“There will be a women president, but not in my lifetime,” she said.
Afterwards, San Diego Police Chief Shelly Zimmerman thanked participants for attending the march and keeping it peaceful.
“Our officers appreciate and thank you for all the ‘thank you’s’ they received along the route,” Zimmerman tweeted.
