The weather conditions could not hold back the hundreds of women’s rights protesters calling a “Time’s Up” on issues ranging from sexual harassment to islamophobia on Sunday, 21st January. This rally was one of many across the world happening this past weekend. According to organizer Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu of Bromley, it is “a call for action. We take it from the streets to your workplace. We take it from the streets to your school.”
Young, old, black, white, men, women and even children gathered at Richmond Terrace, just a few steps from number 10 Downing Street with expressive and creative signs ranging from small to big, clean to explicit accompanied by hot pink hats. Their voices rang out in unison chanting “what do we want? Change! When do we want it? Now!”
Fifteen year old Abi Turner, travelled two hours from Chichester to be there and held an eye catching sign reading, “If you don’t fight for all women, then you fight for no women”. When asked why she was at the rally, she replied “I’m here because feminism is so important and especially as a teen it’s like we’ve got all this other stuff going on, and with feminism in the mix as well, it’s so important to get messages across as well as you can”.
When asked about how teens can participate, Dr. Mos-Shogbamimu added “Join us! Join your local activism group, follow us on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram! Give us a call and tell us you want to help. It doesn’t just have to be on a national scale. Continue to educate yourself. Pay attention to what’s happening. Listen to all of the views and make your own decision. Use the power of your voice and use the power of your social media.”
