The second annual Women’s March took place on Jan. 20, an event that filled the streets of major cities around the world with pink. The U.S. alone had an approximate of four million participants attend with a mix of all genders, and 500,000 of those people attended the Women’s March Los Angeles. At the event, topics such as women’s rights, civil rights, and health care were discussed throughout the given speeches. Speakers at the event included a combination of celebrities, activists, and politicians such as Viola Davis, Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, and Mayor Eric Garcetti. Attendees, through social media, have described the event as impactful and influential.

After Viola Davis’s speach surged through Twitter, Aldo Lopez, 10, listened to it. He believes that Viola Davis placed a new perspective on the reason of why one should protest for women’s rights.

“Viola Davis totally changed the game. She said that people have been speaking out about being a #MeToo, and that she applauds it, but she instead protests for those who are not capable to do so,” Lopez said. “I think that the protest is necessary since it does give women confidence to speak up. And that it can raise more awareness to the men and women that remain in silence.”

In comparison to Lopez’s opinion, others who march, march for the voices of others. From a study done by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, it was estimated that there are 321,500 American victims of sexual assault, but that is only counting those of who have been reported. It was as well approximated that every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted; if the estimation is true then the number of assaulted American victims would surge above its original count; still not as high as if all global sexual assaults were calculated. A reason why sexual assaults are so high is because they happen to both men and women, like Lopez stated. As Ellen Degeneres once said, “sexual assault is a human thing. ” Therefore, it was very prominent that men as well spoke at the Women’s March LA.

In regards of men speaking at the march, Ashley Ramos, 12, a march attendee, says that she was impressed with the number of men speakers in comparison to the 2017 Women’s March L.A. since six men spoke at the LA march.

“One of my favorite speeches was by Mayor Garcetti. He pointed out the government shut down and gave it a twist. He said that instead of waiting for officials to make decisions for the people, the people should take advantage of their voice and decide for the officials,” Ramos said. “His speech definitely caused a positive mood throughout the audience it is different than from watching it on screen. I feel like it brought great unity.”

Ramos, like other attendees, sense that the Women’s March has a feel to it like no other. Therefore, a vibe of positivity is linked throughout the audience causing the unity. Garcetti’s speech, being just one of the several speeches given, challenged the power of the  government. He instead spoke about placing an equal amount of power onto the people. In result, this speech was directed more towards democrats and liberals.

On the other hand, Estrella Hernandez, 11, after viewing articles shared throughout social media, recognizes the backlash that the Women’s March has been receiving.

“Because of #MeToo more people are finding out about the men that have sexually assaulted women such as Harvey Weinstein. Therefore, women are getting criticized for still having been working with these men, while knowing of their actions,  even though they now stand against them; one of which is Oprah Winfrey,” Hernandez said. “I get why people are angry for women being hypocrites, but famous people are only a small part of the movement.  It is instead important to note that since the Women’s March has started, more people have began to speak about civil rights, and health care rights. Rights that were slowly being forgotten of.”

Hernandez perceives the bigger picture of the movement. People have began to speak on social media platforms against celebrities; on the other hand, people have began to be heard through social media platforms. This then says that one does not have to have a great amount of following in order to speak. Hernandez as well recognizes the fact that the purpose of the march is expanding to cover more topics such as LGBTQ+ rights.

In all, the march through the eyes of Downey High School students is generally seen as a catalyst to a movement that had remain stagnant for some time.

To become a part of the movement in the nearest city visit Women’s March LA Foundation | HEAR OUR VOICE .