Thousands gather at Boston Common for Women's March 2019

Thousands of people gathered at Boston Common for a massive rally focused on women's issues.

Despite a freezing day and hours of waiting, the Women's March 2019 began gaining steam Saturday morning.

"We are getting into this era where we need to get up and speak up because we have been oppressed and held down for way too long," Pearl Mwangi DeBarros said.

The rally and march featured a large call to action, with every woman Boston 25 News spoke with having a different reason for showing up to support causes they believe need attention.

"I would like to see a little more gun regulation because the school shootings are out of control," Chrissy Judge said.

Becky Papas went to the event from Franklin, saying she was there "for all people against racism, against misogyny."

Debarros said her reasoning for being at the event was because "we are paid less."

"That's a problem for me," Debarros said.

A sparce crowd of young men, like Peter Kelleher, were also visible in the crowd.

"I think it just makes sense that men should be here," Kelleher said. "Men should support women and what they want to do."

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Newly-elected Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was also in attendance, thanking the hearty crowd.

"I know it's cold out here, but the pursuit of justice is uncomfortable and inconvenient, so buckle up," Pressley said. "You are hopeful and you believe the status quo is insufficient. You believe in the pursuit of equity and quality and justice, and you believe that women deserve some r-e-s-p-e-c-t."

Cox Media Group