Organizers for the Women's March in the metro on Saturday afternoon estimated that around 10,000 people showed up for the event to raise awareness of certain issues and show unity following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
The event was held at Washington Square Park.
Several community leaders, including Mayor Sly James, gave speeches at the rally, while thousands of attendees brought signs and chanted for causes close to their hearts.
The scene right now near @UnionStationKC. Several thousand here for #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/MYkxVibjzA
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 21, 2017
"You got people from all over this area and region working together to try and change the circumstances that they can't and don't want to accept," explained Mayor James. "We got people who want to see changes. They don't want to see gains that they've had taken away from them."
As millions of people around the world marched in similar events, Mayor James said the big turnout on Saturday showed strong unity in the metro area.
"It means to me exactly what I've always thought about people in Kansas City. We get it. We work together," he said. "We function together and we get things done."
Some of the signs at @KCMO #WomensMarch today near @UnionStationKC pic.twitter.com/5mM11UTDLU
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) January 21, 2017
Several issues were addressed during speeches, including women' rights, immigration, LGBT rights, increasing minimum wage, and gun violence.
Elizabeth Eastman, who attended Saturday's rally, said she came to the event to show support for ending gender pay gaps.
"I'm particularly concerned, being an educator myself, that I only earn 71 cents on the dollar," she told 41 Action News. "I'm a little concerned about how the country is moving forward and some of the ideas that are put forward. I wanted to be among like-minded people."
At least a dozen police officers helped monitor the event, which remained peaceful on Saturday afternoon.
People from all walks of life and backgrounds were seen in the crowd, and some men said they attended to show support for women.
"I just want women to know that I'm here," said Derek Evans, who lives in St. Joseph. "We wanted to make sure they have a voice. This is only the beginning. This is just starting now."
Others said they were surprised at the amount of people who showed up.
"I have a bunch of friends who were in Washington, D.C. and I was really jealous," said Alicia Todt. "Then, I came out here and saw this crowd and I said 'Yeah, we got it.'"
Todt told 41 Action News that after seeing all of the support on Saturday, she felt positive moving forward.
"It's touching," she explained. "It makes me have hope that things can be different and we can work together."
Other Women's March events were held on Saturday in cities across the world, including Tokyo, New York City, Chicago, Sydney, and London.
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