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Liverpool came alive for International Women’s Day, as activists, performers, and supporters gathered for a vibrant feminist march through the city centre. Starting at the iconic Bombed Out Church, the event combined protest, music, and performance to highlight the ongoing fight for gender equality, workers’ rights, and an end to patriarchy.

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A Powerful Start at the Bombed Out Church

The march began at St Luke’s Church — widely known as the Bombed Out Church — a historic Liverpool landmark and regular gathering point for activism and community events.

Hundreds of people gathered carrying colourful banners and bold placards, with powerful messages such as:

• “End the Patriarchy”
• “We Are the Granddaughters of the Witches You Couldn’t Burn”
• “Freedom and Equality for All”

The atmosphere was both determined and celebratory, reflecting the spirit of International Women’s Day — a global movement for women’s rights, equality, and social justice.

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The Rhythm of Resistance: Katumba Drummers

One of the most striking elements of the march was the performance by Katumba Drummers, whose powerful samba rhythms echoed through the city streets.

Wearing bright carnival colours and canary-yellow feathers, the drummers energised the crowd as they moved through Liverpool. Their performance included dramatic moments where drumsticks crossed mid-beat, creating a visual and musical spectacle that drew cheers from marchers and passers-by alike.

The pulsing rhythms and call-and-response chants helped keep spirits high as the march made its way down Bold Street, stopping at various points for performances and speeches.

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A March Through the City for Equality

As the procession travelled through the city centre, the calls for equality grew louder.

Participants highlighted key issues including:

• Gender equality in the workplace
• Workers’ rights
• Ending violence against women
• Social and economic justice

The march was organised by the Liverpool branch of the Socialist Party, an anti-capitalist political organisation that campaigns for workers’ equality and social justice. The group argues that sexism cannot be separated from economic inequality, and regularly supports protests, pickets, and campaigns both locally and nationally.

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Remembering Sarah Everard and Reclaiming the Night

The march eventually gathered outside the Bluecoat Gallery, where participants listened to a recording of “Reclaim the Night” by Charlotte Mantle.

The song was written in response to the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard, who was killed by a serving Metropolitan Police officer in 2021. The tragedy sparked national outrage and renewed conversations about women’s safety, policing, and violence against women.

“Reclaim the Night” later evolved into a performance piece, giving voice to the demand that women should be able to walk safely in public spaces without fear.

The song was released on the final day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign that runs annually from 25 November to 10 December.

A Day of Protest, Music, and Solidarity

Liverpool’s International Women’s Day march showed how activism can combine community, creativity, and resistance.

From powerful protest slogans to vibrant drumming and performance, the event brought together people from across the city to demand:

• Equality
• Safety
• Justice

As the rhythms of the drums echoed through the streets and voices rose together in solidarity, one message stood clear:

The fight for women’s rights — in Liverpool and around the world — is far from over.

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