People came out to speak out and speak up in San Francisco on International Women’s Day.

In San Francisco, demonstrators rallied and marched through Union Square, calling for not only the protection of women’s rights, but opposition to federal actions.

“I’m out here today for women’s rights, for all human rights,” Lacey, from the East Bay, said.

For over 100 years, people have recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

The day also marks a call to action for gender equality. This year’s message varied, with some carrying signs calling for reproductive justice, women for peace not war and no war on Iran.

“We’re here today because the Trump regime’s attack on women and women’s rights is unacceptable and we have to rise of our millions we have to encourage that rising in our millions to defeat this,” Sully with Refuse Fascism said.

Sully was one of the speakers at the rally.

“We are going to be vehemently opposing the Trump regimes attack on Iran,” she said.

Meantime, Deborah and Paige who had their own take on the day.

“We had the idea of dressing up like suffragettes to pay homage to our foremothers who led this very brave protest movement,” Deborah said.

They came with a reminder of their own.

“We want to remind people that protest movements do work,” Deborah said.

“Particularly, now that voting is really coming under attack with the Save Act,” Paige added.

After rallying, many in the group marched, vowing to keep speaking up.

San Francisco rang in the Year of the Fire Horse with its annual Chinese New Year parade Saturday evening, with thousands of revelers cheering on hometown hero and Olympic champion Eileen Gu as its grand marshal.

The procession featured drums, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese American community in the oldest celebration of its kind outside Asia and one of the largest.

Civic leaders and performers paraded from downtown to Chinatown through popping firecrackers. Children marched wearing inflatable horses while lion dancers and martial artists waved to the crowd.

The parade was first organized in the 1860s by Chinese immigrants who came to work during the California Gold Rush and wanted to share their culture through a “favorite American tradition,” the parade, according to the event website.

While the celebration always draws massive crowds, attendees were especially excited for Gu, who drew loud cheers.

Vanessa Chan of neighboring South San Francisco said she represents “cultural infusion.”

“She’s really wonderful. … She’s funny, sunny, and she represents positivity,” Chan said.

Gu appeared partway through the parade in a red dress, sitting in a red convertible adorned with flowers. The color is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity for the Chinese holiday.

Parade organizer Wiliam Gee said Gu was picked for the role by the middle of last year — before she competed in the 2025 Milan-Cortino Winter Games, where she won two silver medals and one gold, making her the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history.

“The year of the horse brings a lot of new life and energy,” Gee said. “She definitely represents Chinese heritage and definitely is an icon.”

Gu has come under scrutiny for her decision to represent China in competition, and Megan Chin, also of South San Francisco, said she felt the Olympian was attacked unfairly.

“When you’re multicultural and you want to celebrate both heritages, it’s great to be happy for someone if they want to celebrate their other heritage as well,” Chin said. “I am proud of her.”

Calvin Lui, who attended with his young son, said he loved Gu’s representation of the city where she was born and raised as well as her Chinese heritage.

“That’s her identity, both countries — so she gets the best of both worlds,” Lui said.