In inspirational and defiant remarks to the mass of people gathered at Los Angeles City Hall, who had marched earlier in the morning from Pershing Square, Mayor Garcetti announced the official crowd size at 500 thousand. Also speaking were County Supervisor, Hilda Solis, and a number of celebrity speakers including actresses Viola Davis, Scarlett Johansson and Laverne Cox.
Delivering the most impassioned speech of the day, Davis reminded the women in the crowd that they must fight for their liberties and their rights, saying that “it is through human dedication and effort that we move forward.”
“I am speaking today not just for the MeToos,” she said, “because I am a MeToo. But when I raise my hand I am aware of all the women who are still in silence, the women who are faceless, the women who don’t have the money and who don’t have the constitution and who don’t have the confidence and who don’t have the images in our media that gives them a sense of self-worth to break their silence.”
With “enhanced” rail service, including more cars and additional staff to help with ticketing and directions, the City seemed to avoid last year’s transportation fiasco, when 750 thousand citizens marched. This year's organizers were predicting 200 thousand to attend, but by late morning, the Mayor definitively put the number at one-half million.
Sunday, Jan 21, 2018 · 1:18:45 AM +00:00 · Doctor Jazz
Wow! Lots of great photos and stories in the comments below. Also thanks to Igualdad for posting the complete video of Viola Davis’ speech. It was suggested I center and resize my photos, but since I’m a novice at editing photos on this site, I’ll be happy if someone tells me how.