March on International Women’s Day by feminists demanding change
International Women’s Day in Manchester saw a march take to the streets by feminists protesting against patriarchy.
On Sunday (8 March) the protest began outside the Queen Victoria statue in Piccadilly Gardens with a round of speeches.
The march was organised by the Feminist Coalition and Young Struggle Manchester, which saw a significant turnout of people for the event.
International Women’s Day
This is the fourth year that the International Women’s Day march has been held by these two groups in Manchester.
The protesters of the march spoke out in opposition to the war in Iran, the war in Gaza and what protestors claim is ‘sexism’ within Greater Manchester Police.
At midday, the drums began to play, and one of the first speakers to the crowd was Hannah from the free Palestine movement in Manchester.
She said: “I stand here to speak as a Palestinian woman, though this identity does not mean much if it does not carry with it a mode of action and defiance.
“What is appalling is not only that Palestinian women are having to bear the heavy consequences of occupation, but that they are also exploited in the name of a racist agenda.”
Learn more about International Women’s Day
After the speeches at the Victoria statue, there was a round of singing to commemorate the event.
A group of women sang a song called Cancion sin miedo in Spanish also known as ‘Fearless Song’ in English, which was met by a round of applause from the crowd.
The song is a regional Mexican protest song written by Vivir Quintana, who fights against patriarchal violence with her music.
Following this the march began leading its way through the city with chants for women’s freedom and liberation.
‘Revolution is our right – women show the way to fight‘
The chants that were repeated during the march were: “Woman like freedom. Women work as trans and queer, make the fascists disappear.”
The march stopped outside the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) building with heartfelt speeches and plastering of posters on the building.
One of the speakers expressed her thoughts to the crowd: “Community action is everything and me as a working-class young woman of gypsy breed says to Manchester that what is the point of anything if we are not going to do it with our whole heart and mind.”
One of the most significant posters taped to the building was the protesters’ demands.
Their demands include that the GMP £14.1m budget increase be used to fund women’s services; action taken for women who suffer alleged harassment; and for the state to stop participating in and providing weapons to Middle East conflict.
The march concluded with further speeches outside the Manchester library before dispersing.