British Columbia

Thousands gather in Vancouver for women's march

The March On Vancouver drew large crowds to downtown Vancouver to rally for women's rights.

Hundreds of rallies held worldwide 1 year after President Trump's inauguration

Thousands of people braved the rain to march for women's rights in downtown Vancouver Saturday. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC )

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in downtown Vancouver to mark the anniversary of the Women's March on Washington D.C. last year.

The March on Vancouver began at Jack Poole Plaza at 10 a.m. PST. It is the second march following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

"I think Donald Trump is just beyond," said participant Kirsty Bin. "Every morning since that march last year we wake up to him on the news and he has put the women's movement back 100 years."

Crowds braved rainy weather to march in Vancouver Saturday. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

Bodil Geyer, an organizer in Vancouver, said Trump's election and the Women's March last year spurred Canadians to get involved in their local communities.

Saturday's march included a stop in front of the Trump International Hotel and Tower on Georgia Street.

The march is one of hundreds being held worldwide. 

Sacha Moiseiwitsch said she was marching because people need to talk about what consent means. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

Many reasons compelled people to take to the streets.

"I'm here to represent myself and make sure that no other women have to go through what I went through," said Mikenna Stevens.

"I work in the film industry  … #metoo hit really close to home for me." 

One-year-old Maelona Williams, who is Musqueam, stands apart from the crowd at Saturday's March on Vancouver. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

Several participants told CBC News they were marching for female equality and to ensure women feel safe in their workplaces, no matter what industry it is.

"I think that women no matter who they are or where they work should not have to work where there is a sexual predator," said first-time marcher Justine Robert.

Maria Nguyen was also participating for the first year. 

"It's really empowering see everyone here, I didn't come last year and I really regretted it. I believe that women's rights are human rights."

Maria Nguyen holds up a sign praising the female character Hermione Granger in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series at the March on Vancouver Saturday. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)