Women's March draws more than a thousand in Rapid City

Washington D.C., Paris, London and New York are just a few of the cities around the globe marching for women's rights.

But some Rapid City locals were also out in full force for the Women's March.

Tom Thorson says, "There are a lot of people worried about a lot of things with this new administration."

Maria Birch says, "Man I want to see things change. We have a human rights issue in this country."

So hundreds of South Dakotans took to the streets, marching for equality this morning following the inauguration of now President Donald Trump.

Angel Staley says, "We want our politicians to take notice that we are an important voting block in this community."

Staley and several others say they're standing up for what they think is right for all people, no matter the gender or the color.

The Women's March on Washington here in the Black Hills brought huge numbers for the Rapid City area, more than a thousand people, something members of the planning committee weren't expecting.

Staley says, "Maybe a maximum of 30 to 50 people tops."

A sea of signs took over the downtown Rapid City streets, advocating for universal health care, gender equality and coming together as one.

Staley says, "I always felt like I was alone here in the Black Hills just believing what I believe. To look out on a crowd of people and know that everyone is here for the same reasons, it fills my heart with so much joy."

But not everyone in town was a fan of the parade.

Loren Groenewoud says, "I was a little irritated about the traffic being blocked."

Saying that the demonstrators need to accept Donald Trump as our president, Groenewoud also says when it comes to these rights, he's all for people standing up for their message.

Groenewoud says, "That's their constitutional right, it's good that they do it. Those are issues that are going to be at the forefront."

But many members of both parties can agree on one thing, the divide seen within the country.

Groenewood says, "Whenever the left and the right come together, it just seems to be a fight."

They can agree change in the nation should develop from getting to know each other.

Birch says, "Talking to one another, but more importantly., listening to one another."

The march began at the City, School Administration Center, made its way to the George Washington statue on the corner of 6th Street and Saint Joseph Street and ended at Memorial Park for a quick rally.