Surrounded by thousands of women marching for a cause; Marching so their children don’t have to grow up in the society they did; Marching for the voiceless or the ones discriminated against. The women’s march was more than a parade for feminists, it was a statement to the world.

For the second year in a row over one million people nationwide attended the Women’s March on January 20.  They spent hours protesting for better rights for people everywhere. They were also able to listen to speakers and learn what they had to say about the march.

“Although I do not describe myself as a feminist I think the Women’s March was a very cool thing,” junior Daniel Vasquez said. “Seeing how they all stood together for something that matters was awesome”

One major part of the March this year was the hashtag #MeToo, to raise awareness of sexual assault victims and let them know that they are not alone. Although many have spoken out about their lives, there are still many others who haven’t.

“I am speaking today, not just for the Me Too’s, because I was a Me Too. But when I raise my hand, I am aware of all the women who are still in silence,” actress Viola Davis said. “Those who don’t have the images in our media that gives them a sense of self-worth enough to break their silence that is rooted in the shame of assault.”

Another new movement, founded January 1 of this year, is the Times Up movement. This was another topic at the Women’s March. The Times Up movement is a movement against sexual harassment and making sure that it comes to a stop once and for all.

“Suddenly, I was 19 again, and I started to remember all the men I’d known that had taken advantage of the fact that I was a young woman who didn’t yet have the tools to say no, or understand the value of my own self-worth,” actress Scarlet Johansson said. “I want to move forward, and for me, moving forward means my daughter growing up in a world where she doesn’t have to be a victim. Time’s Up on the female condition. Gender equality can’t just exist outside ourselves. It must exist within.”