VOA常速英语:没有女人的一天：全美携手捍卫女性权利

“What do we want?” “Freedom!” “What do we want it?” “Freedom!”

From Washington DC to Los Angeles, thousands of people gathered and marched to show their support for women’s rights.

“We’re putting an important message out there that women matter, We’re more than half the population.We can make a difference in this world, I think we stand more for things we believe in:the love, the beauty, the hope, the uplifted side of humanity, we want to share that with others.”

The symbol of women’s solidarity——red, but it’s not just women participating in these rallies. Fighting for women’s rights is personal for Carlos Heredia from Los Angeles.

“Growing up, seeing my mom abused by my father,then seeing my three sisters abused by their men and the consistency of hearing what goes on,what they call ‘gym talk’ or ‘corporate talk.’I think me, being a male, I need to do my job to protect our women.”

For many women, this event was also a political protest against President Donald Trump.A several thousand rallied in front of the White House.

“What this president unfortunately is trying to do -- he and his ridiculous Cabinet -- is bring this country backwards.We thought we had fought and made progress many, many years ago.Unfortunately I think we got complacent, and we stopped fighting, and we have to keep fighting.”

Some people took the day off to make their voices heard.Others are retired or work for a company that support the message of this day.

Among them is the Paradigm Talent Agency where the women there are doing more than just rallying for women’s rights.They are also helping homeless women who are transitioning into permanent housing.

“So we have 101 women in the Los Angeles office, so we decided to put together 101 hygiene bags today.And I think that’s actually a nice symbol, because I think as 101 it represents us as a group united,and the 1 represents us as individuals.We need to show up for things like today and we need to show up to be a part of the sisterhood.”

Many participants of “A Day Without A Woman” say they are the lucky ones.

“I know a lot of people can’t actually be here because they’ve got jobs they have to be at.So when you’re in a position where you can and you’ve got people saying like ‘go,’it’s important for us to be here and represent for those who can’t, and it’s incredibly important.”

Surrounded by a sea of red,these women say they feel empowered to continue the fight for women’s rights of all kinds within their own communities.

Elizabeth Lee, VOA news.