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Photos: Fairfield County Protesters Find Solidarity In Local Women's March

STAMFORD, Conn. — Bethel resident Cyndie McGuire joined the nearly 3,000 people Saturday at the Women's March On Connecticut in Stamford

A woman holds up a sign at the Women's March on Connecticut held in Stamford on Saturday.

A woman holds up a sign at the Women's March on Connecticut held in Stamford on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Sandra Diamond Fox
Westport residents Stanley and Susan Witkow hold up an anti-Trump sign at the Women's March on Stamford.

Westport residents Stanley and Susan Witkow hold up an anti-Trump sign at the Women's March on Stamford.

Photo Credit: Sandra Diamond Fox
From left, Deb Larsen, Kate and Abby Gombos

From left, Deb Larsen, Kate and Abby Gombos

Photo Credit: Sandra Diamond Fox
Many people hold up signs at the Women's March on Stamford on Saturday.

Many people hold up signs at the Women's March on Stamford on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Sandra Diamond Fox
People express their views in their signs at the Women's March on Stamford on Saturday.

People express their views in their signs at the Women's March on Stamford on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Sandra Diamond Fox
People hold up signs at the Women's March in Stamford.

People hold up signs at the Women's March in Stamford.

Photo Credit: Sandra Diamond Fox

McGuire said she went to the march to represent the values she feels are important to her.

“Now is the time to stand together and fight for all the rights that many before us have fought for us to have, such as a woman’s right to make choices over her own body, religious and cultural freedom, diversity in America, and so much more," she said at the rally, one of hundreds around the world held in protest of Trump's policies.

McGuire has a daughter of color and wants to make the world a better place for her.

Also, she depends on the Affordable Care Act because she and her husband are self-employed as small business owners. 

[Related coverage: Making Their Voices Heard: Thousands Unite In Stamford Women's March]

The main event was in Washington with a half-million participants, with another huge march also taking in New York City with 200,000 participants. 

Police in Stamford said the crowd at Mill River Park numbered nearly 5,000 people. Organizers had originally expected about 800 to 1,000 participants. 

Also in the crowd in Stamford was Deb Larsen of Bridgeport, who came with her friend Kate Gombas of Trumbull and Gombas’ 9-year-old daughter Abby.

“I am here to fight for equality,” Larsen said. “A Trump administration has made certain people feel threatened. I want my voice heard.”

Gombas said she went for her daughter. “I want her to know that her vote matters and her opinions count. She has rights. She can do anything. This day is all about her.”

Another mother-daughter pair who traveled to the march was Brookfield resident Laura Orban with Bailey, 12.

“I want to show my daughter that we don’t have to give up. I want both of us to feel motivated to keep on working for something better than what we just got yesterday,” Orban said, referring to Trump’s inauguration.

Gretchen Raffa of New Haven, a Planned Parenthood director of public policy and advocacy, was one of the speakers at the rally.

“Today we have to stand in solidarity with people marching in D.C., Stamford, Hartford and across the country," Raffa said.

"We are here to fight back against attacks on our fundamental human and civil rights, including our reproductive rights," she said.

Raffa said she was sending a message that women won’t stand for any threats on reproductive health care rights and Planned Parenthood health centers.

Westport resident Stanley Witkow, who went to the march with his wife, Susan, said he wants Trump to know that he was not the choice of most Americans.

“Every time Trump faces us, he should be reminded that most Americans did not want him as president.”

Susan Witkow said the rights of her grandchildren need to be protected.

“I want Trump know we are watching him,” she said.

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