Fighting for Freedom at the Foothills In Sierra Madre and Pasadena

(L) Rally in Sierra Madre. (R) Rally in Old Pasadena (Photos – Daniel Peters, Many Kravits)

It was a loud, excitement-filled Saturday as droves of people gathered in Kersting Court Sierra Madre and at the Tesla dealership in Pasadena to celebrate International Women’s Day and advocate for the defense of women’s rights.

By Daniel Peters

Sierra Madre: U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu and California Senator Sasha Renée Pérez spoke at the rally, emphasizing the need to stand against the current Presidential administration and fight for equal pay, social justice, and bodily autonomy.

“T. is threatening to cut the programs that mean the most to women in this country and, if he cuts Medicaid and SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program], we’re talking about families all across this country being hurt,” stated Congresswoman Chu. “The cuts are drastic. It’s an $880 billion hole in the budget, which would hurt women who are going through births, it would hurt children, and it would hurt long-term elderly care. It would hurt so many.”

California State Senator Pérez also spoke about how the state legislature is working to protect people’s rights and defend the freedoms cemented in the U.S. Constitution.

“We need to do things differently. We need to make sure that we are protecting our young people. We need to make sure that we are protecting women, that we are protecting health care, and that we are protecting Social Security,” explained Senator Perez.

It wasn’t just political representatives at Sierra Madre who voiced their hopes for a better and more equal future. Local resident Claire Wylds-Wright shared what International Women’s Day means to her: standing in solidarity, both men and women, to fight together for the fundamental and equal rights of women.

“Having representatives here is huge because it’s not just the recognition from local people; we’re being recognized as individuals and as a community at state governor levels. It’s really significant, “stated Wylds-Wright. “I hope people are educated about the real pressing issues for women and also that individuals feel empowered that their actions can really make a difference.”

Congresswoman Chu shared how rallies in other states have already affected Republican members of Congress.

“The more people that raise their voices, the greater the movement will be to stop this,” stated Congresswoman Chu. “We already saw that so many people stormed the Republicans’ town halls and raised their angry voices, and that actually shut down those town halls. Now the speaker [Mike Johnson] has said to not hold meetings in person anymore. So they have already had an effect.”

Pasadena: Congresswoman Chu later attended the “Raise Your Voice” rally, organized by Pasadena City College Trustee Tammy Silver and attended by PUSD Board Trustee Jennifer Hall Lee. The rally attracted a large crowd on the sidewalk in front of the Tesla dealership in Old Pasadena. Chu spoke again about issues within the current administration, specifically data security, the dismissal of government employees, and the impact of recent tariffs on the country’s economy.

Organizers at both rallies vowed that the voices of everyday people will be heard, and the fight for the protection of democracy, the securing of women’s rights, and the pursuit of equality will continue.

Rep. Chu addressing the crowd in Sierra Madre (Photo – Daniel Peters)

California Senator Pérez at Kersting Court (Photo – Daniel Peters)

Rep. Chu in Old Pasadena (Photo – Many Kravits)

State Senate Pérez in Old Pasadena (Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)

Scenes from the “Unite and Resist” Rally in Sierra Madre (Photos – Daniel Peters)

At the “Unite and Resist” Rally in Sierra Madre (Photos – Daniel Peters)

At the “Raise Your Voice” rally in Old Pasadena (Photo – Many Kravits)

Outside the Tesla dealership in Old Pasadena (Photo – Many Kravits)