Thousands gather downtown for Raleigh Women's March

Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger and Wake County Commissioner Jessica Holmes were among dozens of community leaders that showed up to the fourth annual Raleigh Women's March.

"I’m looking for my tribe,” Holmes said. “Are there any nasty women up in here?”

The phrase "nasty women," which was used by President Donald Trump during his campaign to refer to opponent Hillary Clinton, started a feminist movement by the same name.

Holmes advocated for equal pay for equal work and victims of domestic abuse and rape and encouraged more woman to pursue a career in politics.

Women, men and children met at Halifax Mall, located at 16 West Jones St. in downtown Raleigh, at 12:30 p.m. for the march, which started at 1 p.m.

Over 30 booths and organizations that support women, families and children passed out information about community resources. There was also music and representation from different political, religious and activist groups.

Women's marches in Raleigh and across the country have been annual events since President Donald Trump was elected.

The first Raleigh Women's March was held January 2017 after President Trump's inauguration. In 2018, on the one-year anniversary of his inauguration, between 5,000 and 10,000 people gathered downtown for the second Raleigh march.

'United for justice,' hundreds of people attend Raleigh Women's March

Participants said this year's march comes at a critical time as all eyes are on the presidential election.

"In any election climate, you want to see the change-makers," Erin Terry said. "We're ready to roll up our sleeves and just get in there."

The largest rallies in North Carolina in previous years were held in Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Asheville and Hillsborough.