Women's Day protest near California Capitol in Sacramento. 'We're not second-class citizens'

Rosalio Ahumada, The Sacramento Bee on Mar 8, 2025

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Dawn Pedersen on Saturday stood at the corner of L and 10th streets in downtown Sacramento near the California Capitol building holding a “Protect Trans Rights” sign.

“I’m seeing our rights being whittled away every day,” said Pedersen, of West Sacramento. “It’s chaos in the federal government.”

She joined more than 100 people in an International Women’s Day “Unite and Resist” demonstration against the Trump administration and its policies. They chanted and held protest signs on both sides of L Street, receiving honks from drivers showing their support for the protest.

On the first day in his second term in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that limited the rights of transgender Americans. Trump’s executive order included a declaration that the U.S. government will only recognize a person’s sex assigned at birth, and will not use the word “gender” on any policies and documents.

Saturday’s protest comes only two days after California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he opposed allowing transgender athletes to compete on teams that reflect their gender identity. Newsom, who is believed to be considering a run for president in 2028, spoke about “fairness” when he revealed his stance on transgender athletes Thursday on a conservative activist’s podcast.

Pedersen and others at the Capitol protest said they feel an urgency to loudly vocalize their opposition to government policies that intend to strip away civil rights.

“If we don’t protect everyone, then they’re coming for us next,” Pedersen said.

Melanie Mapps of Elk Grove, Calif., was joined at the protest by her sister, Tracy Wilson, and their mother, Beverly Mapps, defending the rights of women, including the right to have an abortion.

The U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 court ruling that established abortion as a constitutional right. California is among 10 states that have since expanded abortion rights

Newsweek recently published a map that shows 25 states have sought to protect abortion rights using data from the Center for Reproductive Rights.

“We’re under attack, especially us women,” Mapps said, holding a “Respect My Existence or Expect Resistance” protest sign. “We’re not second-class citizens.”

Her mother was just as fiery as her daughters at Saturday’s protest. Beverly Mapps said she worries about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as civil rights are under fire again.

“I (protested) in the ‘60s,” Beverly Mapps said. “I didn’t think that I’d have to do it again.”

Susan Owen of Sacramento said Saturday’s protest near the Capitol was first time she’s participated in a demonstration since 40 years ago, when she advocated for the rights of Central American refugees. She said she hopes protests inspire elected officials to be more vocal in their opposition to Trump’s policies.

“I feel our rights as women are being eroded,” Owen said. “It’s a full-on assault.”

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