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international women's day
March 9, 2017

29 People on Why They Showed Up for the Women’s Strike

By the Cut

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Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya

Yesterday, as the late-afternoon sun swept across the open expanse of Washington Square Park in downtown Manhattan, thousands of people assembled in honor of International Women’s Day. The rally lasted well into the unseasonably warm evening, with musical performances and speeches to fire up attendees. By nightfall, participants had made stops at the Stonewall Inn, Trump Hotel Soho, and the African burial ground on the way downtown to City Hall.

The Cut caught up with a few of the protesters who agreed to have their photos taken. Some had been on strike all day, others had left their work early to join the rally. Each person we spoke to had their own personal reasons for being there — some had gone without pay, others had given their babysitters the day off (paid) and carried children with them in Baby Bjorns.

For Leena, a Palestinian-American law student from Brooklyn, the march in Washington Square was less about reproductive rights than about combating U.S. imperialism. She told the Cut, “I’m at the women’s strike to represent the women of the world who persevere every day in the face of U.S. imperialism and misogyny. I am here for the women of Palestine who lead the struggle for liberation of our motherland. I hope it will bring attention to the intersectional struggle that women around the world deal with.” Read on for more stories and portraits from yesterday’s strike.

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Leena, law student from Brooklyn (my family is from Palestine) "I’m at the women’s strike to represent the women of the world who persevere ... Leena, law student from Brooklyn (my family is from Palestine) "I’m at the women’s strike to represent the women of the world who persevere every day in the face of U.S. imperialism and misogyny. I am here for the women of Palestine who lead the struggle for liberation of our motherland. I hope it will bring attention to the intersectional struggle that women around the world deal with." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
LaTonya Staubs, stylist from Brooklyn "I'm here because I’m a woman and mother. I hope this strike will show men and women how important wom... LaTonya Staubs, stylist from Brooklyn "I'm here because I’m a woman and mother. I hope this strike will show men and women how important women are today and everyday." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Kit, dancer from Florida "I'm here for the volume of the voice. For women’s equality. For a peaceful tomorrow." Photo: Ruvan Wijesoori... Kit, dancer from Florida "I'm here for the volume of the voice. For women’s equality. For a peaceful tomorrow." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Judy Lo, from Brooklyn "My husband took over my duties today. I hope this strike will bring more awareness to issues that affect women on a ... Judy Lo, from Brooklyn "My husband took over my duties today. I hope this strike will bring more awareness to issues that affect women on a daily basis, such as wage inequality, violence against women, inadequate health care, etc." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
JM Kirby, human-rights activist from D.C. "Women’s rights are human rights. I wish to stand in solidarity with transgender women, gender non... JM Kirby, human-rights activist from D.C. "Women’s rights are human rights. I wish to stand in solidarity with transgender women, gender non-conforming people, women of color, [and] sex workers." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Jenny McClary, digital strategist and Allie Leepson, photographer, both from Brooklyn "I went unpaid from work. I hope the strike will cause... Jenny McClary, digital strategist and Allie Leepson, photographer, both from Brooklyn "I went unpaid from work. I hope the strike will cause employers to audit their employment practices and salary discrepancies." -- Jenny "I also went unpaid today." -- Allie Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Guillermina Rivera, cake designer from Mexico "I am here to really hear women's needs as human beings. The need to equal pay for example.&qu... Guillermina Rivera, cake designer from Mexico "I am here to really hear women's needs as human beings. The need to equal pay for example." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Garth Schilling, drag queen/actor/socialite from Oregon "I fucking love and support women. I’m working tonight, but at a feminist show calle... Garth Schilling, drag queen/actor/socialite from Oregon "I fucking love and support women. I’m working tonight, but at a feminist show called Dead Darlings." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Ganchimeg, student from Mongolia "I had the day off today, but I am here to support fellow women in our fight to equality, from equal pay to... Ganchimeg, student from Mongolia "I had the day off today, but I am here to support fellow women in our fight to equality, from equal pay to right to abortion. I want the current administration [to] take action to protect women’s rights." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Gaby Wilson, MTV News correspondent from Brooklyn "I'm here covering for MTV News, elevating the stories of women participating in the strik... Gaby Wilson, MTV News correspondent from Brooklyn "I'm here covering for MTV News, elevating the stories of women participating in the strike." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Erin Boyle, blogger from Brooklyn "I’m a woman and a mother. I run my own business so any day off is a potential loss in revenue — and any k... Erin Boyle, blogger from Brooklyn "I’m a woman and a mother. I run my own business so any day off is a potential loss in revenue — and any kind of political talk runs the risk of being misconstrued — a risk I’m not afraid to take." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Dinetta Gilmore, small-business owner from Brooklyn "I am a 58-year-old woman [who] refuses to allow us to be set back 50 years." Phot... Dinetta Gilmore, small-business owner from Brooklyn "I am a 58-year-old woman [who] refuses to allow us to be set back 50 years." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Desmond Cadogan, health professional from New York "I support equal rights for women. I hope that D.C. is watching. We won’t be ignored.&quo... Desmond Cadogan, health professional from New York "I support equal rights for women. I hope that D.C. is watching. We won’t be ignored." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Arya Ghavamian, filmmaker and photographer from Tehran, Iran "I stand in solidarity with the revolutionary Iranian women fighting patriarchy... Arya Ghavamian, filmmaker and photographer from Tehran, Iran "I stand in solidarity with the revolutionary Iranian women fighting patriarchy and imperialism! Fortunately, compared to my compatriots, I don’t risk much, yet. Profiling is getting worse and being from Iran does not help. I hope a strike like this gets us closer to basic human values. A life without fear, oppression, and abuse of power. A fleeting glimpse at equality and freedom." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Rosa Haire, librarian from Staten island, with mother, Kate Lombardi, retired RN from Staten Island "I want an increase [in] solidarity acro... Rosa Haire, librarian from Staten island, with mother, Kate Lombardi, retired RN from Staten Island "I want an increase [in] solidarity across all factions (in opposition to what’s always been going on)." -- Kate "I'm here to fight against this administration's racist, misogynistic politics." -- Rosa Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Alisa Kuzmina, exchange student from Russia, Vladivostok/Birobidzhan "I am a feminist who believes in peace in the world and international l... Alisa Kuzmina, exchange student from Russia, Vladivostok/Birobidzhan "I am a feminist who believes in peace in the world and international love. Also because Russian women love American women!" Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Michael, photographer, and Chelsea, social worker, both from Brooklyn "We didn't risk anything by being on strike, but we hope that being he... Michael, photographer, and Chelsea, social worker, both from Brooklyn "We didn't risk anything by being on strike, but we hope that being here is a sign of support for women and the global issues they face." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Melina, social worker from Argentina "I'm here to protest for equal rights. To take down imperialism. A strike like this is a risk in Argent... Melina, social worker from Argentina "I'm here to protest for equal rights. To take down imperialism. A strike like this is a risk in Argentina. Here it is not." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Lynn Chandhok, teacher from Brooklyn "I'm here because numbers matter. Individuals matter. We are the majority. I went to work and taught to... Lynn Chandhok, teacher from Brooklyn "I'm here because numbers matter. Individuals matter. We are the majority. I went to work and taught to the day —there’s a small risk in that, but I knew I have a lot of relative privilege. But we need to keep up the pressure! Keep resisting." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Pam Sporn (with friend), filmmaker from the Bronx "I came as part of Jewish Voice for Peace to oppose the oppression of all women, particula... Pam Sporn (with friend), filmmaker from the Bronx "I came as part of Jewish Voice for Peace to oppose the oppression of all women, particularly the most marginalized by racism, anti-immigrant ideas." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Mona Fastvold (and Ada Fastvold Cordet), film director/writer from Norway "I came for my daughter. I hope it will make a small economical im... Mona Fastvold (and Ada Fastvold Cordet), film director/writer from Norway "I came for my daughter. I hope it will make a small economical impact." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Rama Ndiaye, Ttacher from NYC "I came to support minority groups that [are] targeted by the new administration. We have the privilege of job... Rama Ndiaye, Ttacher from NYC "I came to support minority groups that [are] targeted by the new administration. We have the privilege of job security. We march for those who do not." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Raquiyah Mays, author, journalist, radio personality, activist from New Jersey "I believe in women’s rights. Trump is sexist. I’m concerned ... Raquiyah Mays, author, journalist, radio personality, activist from New Jersey "I believe in women’s rights. Trump is sexist. I’m concerned about the future. I hope we show the power of women unified and the power of the women of color who organized this strike, rally, and the march." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Salvatore Principato, from New York "I'm here in solidarity with #NastyWomen worldwide. I'm here to shed any toxic masculinity that remains ... Salvatore Principato, from New York "I'm here in solidarity with #NastyWomen worldwide. I'm here to shed any toxic masculinity that remains in me." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Shahid Comrade, from Brooklyn "I'm here to be part of the struggle." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Tansy, designer from Queens "I skipped work to be here and support women’s issues including support for Planned Parenthood, extended materni... Tansy, designer from Queens "I skipped work to be here and support women’s issues including support for Planned Parenthood, extended maternity leave, and equal pay between genders. If we yell loud enough, for long enough, eventually they will have to listen." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Tina Dupuy, communications director from NYC "We need a special prosecutor and a select committee. Trump needs to be held accountable for hi... Tina Dupuy, communications director from NYC "We need a special prosecutor and a select committee. Trump needs to be held accountable for his actions." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Travis S., adjunct professor from the Bronx "Striking is the best way for the majority to take the power from the rich and powerful. It’s ac... Travis S., adjunct professor from the Bronx "Striking is the best way for the majority to take the power from the rich and powerful. It’s actually technically illegal for me to be on strike because of the Taylor Law. But I'm here in hopes that people will feel empowered that they can create change.­" Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
Zarah, attorney from NYC "I took a personal day. I am very fortunate. But I'm here to notify elected officials that women are a powerful pol... Zarah, attorney from NYC "I took a personal day. I am very fortunate. But I'm here to notify elected officials that women are a powerful political force and that we will not allow our rights nor the rights of any group to be eviscerated by this administration." Photo: Ruvan Wijesooriya
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