Dozens of people marched through the business centre of Hong Kong yesterday evening as part of International Women’s Day.
Photo: Dan Garrett
The march was organised by Socialist Action and Anti-Trump Hong Kong in solidarity with hundreds of other protests around the globe. Starting at Chater Garden, a group of around 70 women, men, and children of various nationalities, marched to the US Embassy on Garden Road, calling for equal pay, universal pension, and greater rights for migrants and refugees.
Photo: Dan Garrett
“We are women from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, including refugees, migrant workers and local women, to fight for our basic rights, against sexual violence and oppression. Today, International Women’s Day, we go to the streets – not to go shopping or organise dinners and ceremonies. We want a new fighting feminism against the rule of the undemocratic billionaire 1 percent,” said a statement from Socialist Action.
Photo: Dan Garrett
Some carried candles, while others toted signs reading slogans like “No to racism and sexism!” and “Stop violence against women”.
Photo: Dan Garrett
Some preferred to express their feelings on the POTUS more… visually, courtesy of street artist Banksy:
Photo: Dan Garrett
“Trump is a threat to all women, refugees, and working people,”Socialist Action member Sally Tang said in a video later that evening. “We must build a movement to stop his sexism and racism, to defend migrants’ and refugees’ rights.”
SA members Rina and Mira giving a speech. Photo: Dan Garrett
During the march, protesters took turns to address the crowd. Mira, a Socialist Action member and refugee from Indonesia, said, “Rape and abuse within the family is a big problem in Indonesia as in many other countries. But many women don’t speak out because they are afraid the authorities won’t take the woman’s side and they could lose custody of their children.”
Citing a recent UN report that states 1 in 3 women have suffered sexual or physical violence, she said, “We need a united movement to fight against this system.”
Adella Namagembe from the Refugee Union addressing the crowd. Photo: Dan Garrett
