Women's March 2024 celebrates diversity of identities

 

The black, white, red, and green colours of the Palestinian flag were raised alongside other colours celebrating a broad spectrum of identities marching in solidarity at the Women’s March 2024, in Kuala Lumpur, today.

The crowd of some 200 participants started gathering outside the Sogo shopping complex at around 9am, despite the building’s management putting up cordon tapes and warnings against any such activities.

Following instructions from rally marshals, around an hour later, the participants moved in line on the sidewalks headed towards Dataran Merdeka, carrying various placards, banners, and flags.

While on the move, participants chanted “Hentikan! Hentikan! Patriarki!” (Stop! Stop! The Patriarchy!) and “Hentikan! Hentikan! Keganasan!” (Stop! Stop! Violence!).

At one point, the front line stopped along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, outside the iconic Insaf restaurant, while waiting for the last rows to catch up.

Curious passersby and shop owners paused their activities, while some joined the brief chants of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”.

Pro-Palestine placards seen include “Feminist Rise With Palestine” and “63 Women Killed in Gaza Everyday! Ceasefire now!”.

International Women’s Day is marked every year on March 8 and similar rallies around the globe not only celebrate diversity but also raise awareness on various current issues.

Other prominent banners seen include the ongoing struggle for citizenship rights, as the government prepares to table the proposed amendments to Article 14(1)(b) of the Federal Constitution in Parliament this month, relating to the citizenship of children born overseas.

Rally participants led by the organisers arrived at their final gathering location opposite the Kuala Lumpur City Hall after about 20 minutes.

The Women’s March continued with performances and a line-up of speakers who touched on a range of topics including calls to respect the existence of LGBTQ+ communities; anti-violence against women; climate crisis; Orang Asli rights; and equal wage for women.

There was minimal uniformed police presence, including for traffic control. Also seen was a team of observers from the Bar Council.

Previously, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain had affirmed that rally organisers only need to submit a five-day notice to the police under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 and that permits to gather were not required. - Mkini