Joining in solidarity with women across the world, around 200 Utahns celebrated International Women’s Day by rallying at the State Capitol on Thursday, the last day of the 2018 legislative session.
Hosted by Salt Lake City-based radio station KRCL, the event featured speakers from various local organizations and advocacy groups, including Utah Dine Bikeyah, Equality Utah and the League of Women Voters of Utah. They addressed topics ranging from immigration to domestic violence to LGBTQ issues.
Mayra Cedano of Comunidades Unidas, a Latino community organization, advocated for making change at the local and national levels.
“Let’s continue the fight that our ancestors and many people before us began. Let’s continue to fight racism, xenophobia, classism, sexism and all the oppressive systems,” she said.
While lawmakers debated bills in the House chambers, above the rally in the Capitol rotunda, Planned Parenthood of Utah CEO Karrie Galloway made a point to bring politics into the conversation.
“We need to make sure we are registered to vote, we need to make sure we know who we’re voting for, we need to make sure we know what that person stands for,” Galloway said. “Or we could run for office.”
The event wrapped with a live performance by women-fronted indie band Lucius.
