Women pack streets in massive marches across Latin America

[Judi Lynn]

MARCH 8, 2020 / 12:17 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Natalia A. Ramos Miranda, Daina Beth Solomon
4 MIN READ

SANTIAGO/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of women across Latin America’s biggest cities flocked to the streets for International Women’s Day on Sunday, spurred by a growing outcry over inequality, femicide and strict abortion controls.

As Women’s Day events unfold worldwide, with women donning purple to symbolize feminism, the Latin American marches are set against a backdrop of broader social unrest in the region.

Police said 150,000 protesters gathered in Chile’s capital of Santiago, with many carrying signs calling for access to abortion and an end to violence against women. Organizers said the number of protesters was much higher.

“We are a generation of women that has woken up. We are not afraid to speak out and struggle,” protester Valentina Navarro, 21, told Reuters while marching in Santiago. She and a group of friends accompanying her had green bandannas around their necks, a symbol of support for abortion rights.

More:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-womens-day-latinamerica/women-pack-streets-in-massive-marches-across-latin-america-idUSKBN20V06X?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+%28Reuters+World+News%29&&rpc=401

[Judi Lynn]

1. Brazil: Women in several cities march against Bolsonaro

Issued on: 08/03/2020 - 22:02
Modified: 08/03/2020 - 22:00

Sao Paulo (AFP)

Women turned out in force on Sunday in Sao Paulo and other Brazilian cities, using the platform of International Women's Day to protest the policies of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro.

The women marched under banners proclaiming "He cannot continue," an allusion to the president's trademark machismo and frequent mockery of women -- he once told a female lawmaker he would not rape her because she was "not worth it".

"The government's policies have consisted of taking away the rights of women workers," 35-year-old Marcela Azevedo, with the group Women in Combat, told AFP. Her group was one of several protesting in Sao Paulo.

On Paulista Avenue, one of the sprawling city's major roadways, the demonstrators -- many dressed in red or purple -- braved a driving rain.

More:
https://www.france24.com/en/20200308-brazil-women-in-several-cities-march-against-bolsonaro

[Demovictory9]

2. k&r

[Judi Lynn]

3. Feminist groups hold mass Women's Day marches across Chile

Groups estimate more than one million women rallied across the country for women's rights and against state repression.

by Sandra Cuffe
3 hours ago

Antofagasta, Chile - Cities across Chile erupted in mass celebration and outrage on Sunday as women and their supporters rallied for International Women's Day.

In Santiago, a plaza that has become the city's ground zero for protests in recent months could not contain the crowd, extending for blocks along significant boulevards. Marches were under way in several cities, with others to follow Sunday evening.

Nearly two million women were expected to participate in marches across the country on Sunday, day one of a two-day feminist strike. The actions are taking place in the context of broader protests against structural inequality that have been rocking the country since October 2019.

High school student demonstrations last year set off nationwide mass protests for systemic change, including the overhaul of education, health and pension systems. Protests have continued despite ongoing police crackdowns that have resulted in thousands of arrests and injuries, including hundreds of eye injuries.




A group of Indigenous woman demonstrate during a march in Santiago on International Women's Day [Martin Bernetti/AFP]

More:
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/feminist-groups-hold-mass-women-day-marches-chile-200308192555973.html

[sanatanadharma]

4. Montevideo, Uruguay

Montevideo, Uruguay

[Judi Lynn]

5. Spectacular participation. Wonderful photo. Great view. Thanks, a lot.