On the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration – and in the midst of a government shutdown in an increasingly divisive and partisan Washington – a large crowd gathered in Civic Center Park for the second Women’s March on Colorado.
It was one of scores of similar marches that happened around the country Saturday.
More than 15,000 people said on Facebook they were going to attend the 2018 event in Denver. Last year, organizers estimated that 100,000 men, women and children took to the streets.
The reason why people said they were marching Saturday varied, from solidarity with the #MeToo movement to a desire to get people to vote during the midterm election.
PREVIOUS STORY: What to know about the 2018 Denver Women's March
Denton Hanson from Denver had his young daughter on his back holding a sign that said “future scientist.”
“I don’t think being a father is the sole thing that drew me to being here,” he said. “It’s a better future for all women.”
President Trump tweeted his support of the Women’s Marches across the country Saturday morning, writing:
“Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!”
Journey Mueller, 18, was at the march with a friend and attends Colorado Christian University. She says by virtue of where she goes to school, she’s exposed to plenty of different opinions.
“I think that this division is kind of tearing us apart,” Mueller said. “I think that people can put down their political differences and realize people are people.”
She says she believes “empathy is key” when it comes to talking to people who disagree – and it’s something that certainly should happen.
Debbie Vincent and Jessica Lister came to the Women’s March from Colorado Springs. They said they encountered somebody in their hotel who said “ugh” when he realized where they were headed.
“I am so tired of the divisiveness and the ugliness,” Vincent said. “It seems like there’s so much anger and hatred right now.”
While last year’s march was about unity, the organizers say this year’s march was about action.
“The main goal is to march to the poll in 2018,” Jolie Brawner said. “We want to remind people how important local elections are and how important it is to get out and vote and get their friends to vote and their family to vote.”
RELATED: The goals of the 2018 Women's March
You couldn’t walk more than a few feet in Civic Center Park without seeing someone holding a clipboard and asking people to update their voter registration.
The one-mile march route went from Bannock Street to West 13th Avenue, onto Lincoln Street, then onto East 14th Avenue, Grant Street, East Colfax and finally wound back to the park.
The streets were packed with protesters, who held signs with slogans clearly support of women’s rights to ones that were aimed at President Trump himself.
You can see some of the signs below:
(DISCLAIMER: None of the photos are edited or blurred by 9NEWS and the signs could contain language that is offensive to some. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Following the march, the crowd gathered in the park’s amphitheater to hear a diverse crowd of speakers that included everything from advocates to indigenous people to homelessness.
Music from female artists like Beyonce and Katy Perry boomed from the loud speakers.
“I’m here so women of the future don’t have to be,” Mueller said. “I hope that people can put down their differences and realize that people are people.”
