13 women arrested during protest outside Trump International Hotel in NYC
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Through the canyons of Lower Manhattan they marched Wednesday night, thousands with many different messages, but one voice.
"Conditions for women have been terrible for 2,000 years," said Lucia Grillo, a protester.
For more than a century, women around the world have marched on this day to fight for equal rights and equal pay, but this year, they say, the fight's more urgent than anyone can remember.
"Trump has really heightened the risks for women," Grillo said. "Women's issues are not separate from every issue. These are human rights issues and all the things his regime has put forth these are all related."
"His rhetoric is emboldening people who are sexist, it's emboldening nationalists," said Carlos Gesus, a protester.
Thousands of women stayed home from work Wednesday to show what a day without women would look like. They marched to President Trump's hotel on Columbus Circle.
The NYPD said at least 13 women were taken into custody for disobeying officers' orders to get out of the street. They were sitting in the road during a in front of Trump International Hotel on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
The women were chanting "Donald Trump has got to go" during the protest.
Watch extended footage of the women being arrested here:
Police announced that anyone who complied with orders to get out of the street would not face any charges.
The "Women's March" Twitter account posted photos of the arrested women in the back of an NYPD van:
The arrested women emerged from the police precinct hours later.
"If people are inspired by our actions then I hope they are inspired to engage in the political process," said Paola Mendoza, organizer.
It's hard to believe it's been less than two months since the inauguration. There are three years and 10 months until the end of President Trump's term. These women and men say they won't give up until he's out of office.
"It's very empowering to see all these young people, all these black and brown people chanting for their rights. Gives me hope," a protester said.
A person coordinating the demonstration said organizers for "A Day Without a Woman" were inspired by the recent "Day Without an Immigrant" protests held last month.
