The day meant to celebrate women will also go without them.
March 8 is International Women’s Day and is also the set day for the “A Day Without a Woman” strike.
“[We recognize] the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system —while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment and job insecurity,” the website for the event said.
The Women’s March organizers set up the “Day Without a Woman” protest as another way for people across the nation to unite in solidarity for women’s rights and against the White House policies and legislation that might threaten them, according to the website.
The goal is for women to take the day off all work — whether they get paid or not.
Organizers say anyone can participate, not just women. For those who cannot afford to take the day off, there are other ways to show support for the cause.
One suggested way is to not go shopping, but if absolutely necessary, then it is suggested to shop at a woman or minority-owned businesses.
Another way to participate is to wear the color red. According to a post on their Instagram, the Women’s March organizers chose red because it represents “revolutionary love, pioneering spirit, leadership, ambition and many more [traits of the protest].”
Even some Cal State Long Beach students plan on participating any way they can.
“If I find something red to wear I will,” said Oyuki Hernandez, a senior communications and journalism double major. “I like being an active member in what I care about and I think it’s important for men to see how important and vital [women] are.”
The Women’s March organizational committee was inspired to do this event by the wide array of protests that ensued after President Donald Trump took office – specifically, a Yemeni-American bodega-owner strike.
Another inspiration came from the #grabyourwallet campaign, which asks people to boycott any stores or companies affiliated with the Trump family.
“When millions of us stood together in January, we saw clearly that our army of love greatly outnumbers that of fear, greed and hatred,” the website says. “Let’s raise our voices together again, to say that women’s rights are human rights, regardless of a woman’s race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, sexual identity, gender expression, economic status, age or disability.”