On Sunday, March 8, dozens of people gathered in anticipation of San Antonio’s annual International Women’s Day March at Milam Park.

Many Texas- and San Antonio-based organizations were at the park, some sitting at tables and others scattered in the crowd wearing their organization’s gear. Several notable organizations like Planned Parenthood, URGE and Texas Rising were there showing support of the march.

Also in the park were people with signs and flags advocating for abortion rights, transgender women’s rights and more.

Before the march began, the Carrizo Comecrudo tribe of Texas said a prayer and sang a song to bless the earth and express appreciation for the elders of the tribe.

“We walk with you,” Grandma Emma, elder of the Comecrudo tribe, sang. The tribe brought all children to the front of the crowd to witness the blessing of the earth with burning sage. Everyone watched and sang along.

The march began after an hour of songs, blessings and speeches from prominent figures in the feminist movement.

One guest speaker, María Antonietta Berriozábal, who served for a decade as the first Latina city councilwoman of San Antonio, told the crowd that “knowledge must be shared with the community… [and] our work for justice stays alive after we’ve gone.”

The march commenced with the Comecrudo tribe leading. While everyone was marching, tribe members were banging drums to the beat of chants like “This is what democracy looks like!” and “Trans lives matter!”

The tribe led the march around San Antonio’s downtown for two hours, passing the historical Alamo. Tourists and other onlookers took photos and videos as participants in the International Women’s Day March chanted through the city.