On Jan. 19, thousands of women stood on the streets of Washington, D.C. for the third annual women’s march. The protesting was primarily aimed towards the current president’s administration and the growing concern for the lack of women’s rights, and it discussed issues such as justice, equality, and civil rights. According to the march’s official website, “the mission of the Women’s March is to harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change.” The first Women’s March occurred in 2017, the day after President Donald Trump was sworn into office. In 2018, it was in response to the upcoming midterm elections, and a second march, dubbed “Power to the Polls,” was held in Las Vegas.

The theme of this year’s march was #WomensWave. It represents getting a wave of individuals, especially women, to vote. While the main march was located in D.C., dozens were planned and executed all across the country and even the world. In fact, there was at least one march in every state except for Louisiana and Kansas. There were 13 marches scheduled in Texas; one of which was located in Dallas, however, it was scheduled for the 20 rather than the 19.

The D.C. event began at 10 a.m. at Freedom Plaza. It included various speakers and performers followed by a half-mile march past the Trump International Hotel. Those who spoke represented a wide range of personalities and affiliations, putting a voice to all parts of women’s rights. However, the event itself was put under controversy when reports came out that the board members of the march shared anti-Semitic comments behind closed doors, causing several organizations to withdraw their sponsorship of the event. In fact, a competing march calling itself the March for All Women was set as an alternative.

“The March For All Women represents the rising tide of women who stand against the divisiveness of the so-called Women’s March movement,” Carrie Lukas, president of Independent Women’s Forum, said in a released statement. “We’re here to speak up because women should not be hijacked for a political agenda.”

Despite the controversy, the march itself sparked a rally for women all over the country and world to speak up for their rights. Regardless of political agendas or divergent viewpoints, women and men from all parts came together to support a growing movement that ultimately has the goal of equal rights for all individuals regardless of gender, race or sexuality.