“Hear Me Roar”: All The Best Signs From The 2019 Sydney Women’s March

A lot has changed over the last three years, but in that time the Women’s March has grown only stronger.

The march was first conceived of as an anti-Trump protest, and was launched following the inauguration of the 45th President, an alleged sexual predator.

Yet even then, the march went beyond just Trump. It was a rallying cry for women across the globe; a moment to address domestic violence, and the pay gap, and a wide range of gendered issues.

Now, having grown bigger every single year, the Women’s March is a massive intersectional protest, celebration, and rallying cry.

Image: Rae Johnston

The recent murder of 21-year-old student Aiia Maasarwe hangs heavy over the 2019 iteration of the march.

Police have arrested a 20-year-old in relation to the murder of Maasarwe, an exchange student who was killed while heading back to her accommodation after attending a comedy show.

Image: Rae Johnston

In a recent interview with SBS, Megan Date, the head organiser of the Sydney iteration of the Women’s March described it as an opportunity to “address the crisis that is Australia’s culture of violence against women.”

It is expected that 5,000 demonstrators will attend the Sydney Women’s March, from the old and the young; to families, and to groups of friends.

Image: Rae Johnston

The Women’s March was kicked off with a welcome to country, conducted by Aunty Norma Ingram.

Bhenji Ra, a Sydney-based artist and dancer, then took to the stage with a powerful call for unity and intersectionality.

Bhenji Ra reminds us to stand up for ALL women. Our approach MUST be intersectional #womensmarchsydney #womenswave

— Women's March Sydney (@womensmarchsyd) January 20, 2019

Later, Jane Brock, executive officer at Immigrant Women’s Speakout, addressed the ramifications of violence against women, and called for a need to end the ongoing crisis.

Jane reminds us that this is not just a problem in Australia: violence against women is an international problem

— Women's March Sydney (@womensmarchsyd) January 20, 2019

Other speakers included Bri Lee, the author of the acclaimed Eggshell Skull, and Junkee’s own Rae Johnston, who highlighted the need for togetherness and unity.

Rae Johnston: we refuse to accept the status quo. We refuse to see each other as competition. We lift each other up #womensmarchsydney #womenswave

— Women's March Sydney (@womensmarchsyd) January 20, 2019

Image: Rae Johnston

As the March itself began, attendees repeated the chant, “Safe streets now.”

Image: Rae Johnston

Others began to chant, “Gender equality now” as the procession moved through the streets.

Image: Rae Johnston

Many of the signs called for an end to violence against women, highlighting the threat that domestic violence continues to pose.

Image: Rae Johnston

The march moved through the city, picking up demonstrators as it did so.

Image: Rae Johnston

As the march was wrapping up, demonstrators began to chant, “Stop killing women.”

Image: Rae Johnston

Ultimately, television presenter Yumi Stynes summed up the energy and effect of the march perfectly in her speech.

“I march because together we are powerful,” she said, simply.