Boston Women's March Connected More Than Just Women

A mosaic of people--not just women--gathered on Boston Common Saturday.

Paris Alston is co-host of Morning Edition and The Wake Up podcast at GBH News. Feedback? Questions? Story ideas? Reach out to Paris at paris_alston@wgbh.org.

January 21, 2017

Updated January 22, 2017

More than 100,000 – estimates vary from 150,000 to 175,000 – people gathered Saturday on Boston Common for the Women’s March in Boston.

It took hours to even get from the common to the road for the actual march. Estimated 125k at #WomensMarchBoston pic.twitter.com/slUqH6Lhf0— Alissa McAloon (@Gliitchy) January 21, 2017

We the people #BostonWomensMarch #WomensMarch #WICKEDAWESOME pic.twitter.com/3didiztA6U— Boston Women's March (@BosWomensMarch) January 21, 2017

The march was one of many across the nation and the world, all stemming from the Women’s March in Washington, which was announced shortly after the election of now-President Donald Trump. The march comes one day after his inauguration.

#WomensMarch #Boston https://t.co/UYTl92NdzW— Boston Women's March (@BosWomensMarch) January 19, 2017

Opposition to Donald Trump because of his comments about women during his campaign was just one of the reasons people were marching, but they were also marching for rights for the LGBT, disabled, minority, and lower class communities, and environmental rights—and not all of those in attendance were women.

If you are unable to march with us today please know there is a virtual march here https:/disabilitymarch.com/ #WomensMarch #together— Boston Women's March (@BosWomensMarch) January 21, 2017

Because everyone deserves #cleanwater #whyIMarch #MarchingShoes @BosWomensMarch pic.twitter.com/oMlYrgYoNu— Alison Bowden (@alison_bowden) January 20, 2017

"“I’m making a statement. It’s just clothes, really, and hair, so it doesn’t make a difference. Women are wearing men’s clothes now. More power to them.” -James Margeski, Woburn

"Today is a day of civil rights. It's a Martin Luther King type of day. I think black lives matter, I think women's rights matter, I think all lives matter, and I think all of us coming together...that's the biggest thing today." -Emmanuel Evers, Charlestown, MA (left)

Government officials such as Mayor Marty Walsh, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey spoke at the event, along with members of various civil rights groups and singers and dancers, almost all of whom were women.

Ready to follow @SenatorWarren anywhere she goes at the @BosWomensMarch #WICKEDAWESOME @HartmannAaron #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/f97Mzmqrrm— Cody Hooven (@codyhooven) January 21, 2017

There was a multitude of genders, races, ages, religions, and creeds.

#WomensMarch #boston pic.twitter.com/2TlBMWpUMa— Boston Women's March (@BosWomensMarch) January 21, 2017

It made many women feel empowered, and those who do not identify as women proud to be around so many.

“We want [Donald Trump] to know, we’re here, you’re man and we’re woman, hear our roar.” -Dashawnna Major, with her sister, Alexis, both from Dorcester

"I'm not a woman, but a wonderful woman brought me into the world. Regardless of who you are, your gender or age, I think it's important to be here. I think if you're humanist, it's easy to be feminist." -Steven Austerer, Arlington

"Watch out. We're coming, we're fighting." Nicole Sullivan, Somerville, MA, providing free feminine care products.

Paris Alston is co-host of Morning Edition and The Wake Up podcast at GBH News. Feedback? Questions? Story ideas? Reach out to Paris at paris_alston@wgbh.org.