The Women’s March in Ventura drew around 500 participants, highlighting ongoing struggles for women’s rights and social justice.
Ventura: Katie Clunen felt she had to join the Women’s March in downtown Ventura. She wanted to stand up for her daughters and make her voice heard.
“My 10-year-old daughter and 15-month-old will have less rights than I had,” she shared. It’s a sentiment many can relate to.
About 500 people showed up for the event, according to Shane Meserve, one of the organizers. It’s a smaller crowd than the 2,000 who marched in 2017, but still a strong showing.
The Ventura march was inspired by the massive Women’s March in Washington, D.C., back in 2017. That event was all about protesting the election of Donald Trump and advocating for women’s rights.
While they didn’t expect the same turnout as in 2017, Meserve was hopeful for a good crowd. The West Hollywood march was canceled due to fires in Los Angeles County, which may have pushed more people to Ventura.
Some folks even drove in from Los Angeles County. Anna Bellisi and her friend Jessica Till wore outfits inspired by feminist themes, like the movie “Barbie” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
“I live on a budget, and organizations like Planned Parenthood help with providing healthcare,” Bellisi said. She made the trip because Ventura was the closest march available.
As the clock struck 10 a.m., marchers gathered at Plaza Park, many holding handmade signs to support various causes.
Organizations like Planned Parenthood and the League of Women Voters set up booths to raise awareness about their missions.
Speakers, including District 5 County Supervisor Vianey Lopez, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of social justice.
While many issues were highlighted, the main focus remained on women’s rights.
Betsy Camacho, 60, joined the march to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex marriage, and immigrant rights.
At 11 a.m., the march kicked off, leading participants down South Chestnut Street and Main Street, chanting, “No justice, no peace.”
As they marched through downtown Ventura, they encountered counter-protesters holding anti-abortion signs. Attendees tried to cover those signs with their own messages.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Women’s March in Ventura marks ninth year of protests
