By Luke Voogt
More than 200 people protested at Cosy Corner, Torquay, today, according to organisers, joining tens of thousands in the nationwide Women’s March 4 Justice.
About half of the protesters spelt the word ‘justice’ on the beach about 8.15am.
“I’ve got a nine-year-old granddaughter, great nieces, nieces and a daughter,” co-organiser and Torquay grandmother Laura Connor said.
“We want our daughters and granddaughters to be respected, valued and, above all else, safe.”
The Surf Coast Women’s March 4 Justice and similar protests across Australia stem from multiple allegations that have rocked federal parliament in recent weeks.
“Women in Australia are really angry and I think it’s because nothing that the Prime Minister says or does shows that he is taking this seriously,” Ms Connor said.
“I can’t believe in 2021 our children and grandchildren are growing up in a country where they’d get this response from our Prime Minister. We just feel like he is simply not listening.
“This might be a good reminder for him that women make up 52 per cent of the population.
“We had a terrific turn out and I think it’s wonderful to see so many Surf Coast people coming out in solidarity with women and girls across Australia, calling for justice, and an end to sexism, misogyny, patriarchy, corruption, racism and dangerous workplace cultures.”
The Melbourne Women’s March 4 Justice was approved for 5000 people under COVID-19 restrictions after its original permit for 1000 people was extended, organisers confirmed.
At least 13,000 people registered their interest in attending the event, although organisers asked for people to consider showing their support in other ways.
A splinter group of protesters from the march today was involved in a standoff with police at the Victorian Liberal Party headquarters, according to reports from multiple media outlets.
Protesters in Geelong are also planning to march from Trades Hall to the office of Liberal federal senator Sarah Henderson at 5pm today.
