As world leaders gather this week to meet for the 2020 World Economic Forum to discuss and evaluate the most pressing economic and global issues in the world, social leaders and demonstrators assembled on Saturday for the annual Women’s March. Thousands of people across the world mobilized to join the third annual Women’s March in honour of the 2020 theme “Women Rising.” London was not exempt from the march, as a few hundred people showed up for the demonstration in Westminster in support of the cause.

While the London Women’s March welcomed a variety of speakers to discuss a plethora of social and economic concerns, they had a unique message that differed from the global theme of “Women Rising.” Instead, the London Women’s March theme, “Speaking to Power,” emphasized the need to fight global, economic, and racial inequality, a message that came just before world leaders began their annual forum in Davos, Switzerland this week.

Women across the world have been “rising” as they have taken strides to make history across the world by carving out spaces for women in government, global climate change forums, and in presidential elections. Greta Thunberg’s presence at the 2020 World Economic Forum exemplifies the rise of women and their ability to speak to power.

The 2020 World Economic Forum theme is “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World,” which aims to “assist governments and international institutions in tracking progress towards the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.” The forum outlines goals and strategies while boasting the importance of “facilitat[ing] discussions on technology and trade governance.” Despite these goals for economic and global improvement regarding climate change, Thunberg remained unimpressed and critical of those in attendance.

“You say children shouldn’t worry…And then, nothing,” Thunberg said during her speech at Davos on Tuesday. “Silence. Or something worse than silence. Empty words and promises which give the impression that sufficient action is being taken.”

Thunberg’s words seemed to echo the sentiments of women around the world who ventured out to join the London Women’s March. Women and allies gathered at Whitehall Terrace in London in solidarity against powerful elites who have forged inequitable conditions in the United Kingdom and across the world.

“There are protests happening in Kenya, in Zimbabwe, in Pakistan, in India, in the Philippines, in South Africa because our struggle against inequality is global,” said Dr. Wanda Wyporska, Executive Director of The Equality Trust, who is in partnership with the London Women’s March. “So when you see pictures of the global elites flying into Davos this week, on their private jets, and there can be no better icon of the link between inequality and climate change than those private jets. We’ll be saying we cannot let them decide our future.”

However, speakers and attendees of the London Women’s March dismissed the forum’s objectives, stating that this was a meeting held for and by the “elites.”

“We need to tackle inequality,” said Wyporska. “We need to take our message not just to Downing Street, but to Davos, to our governments and to all those elites that are determined to make sure that they carry on with their lifestyles while the rest of us are suffering the effects of inequality.”

While the London Women’s March was a stationery event, speakers still made an impact with their speeches and haunting performances. Egyptian female rapper and activist first female Emmanuelle Marcel also known as EmpresS*1 performed a poem about social and economic injustice in London and the impact it has on communities. Other speakers and performers spoke about their experience with inequality in the United Kingdom, including housing rights, fair wages, social justice, and homelessness.

The London Women’s March promoted the importance of speaking to power and demonstrated how women are on the rise to regaining power in the world. Speakers embodied the 2020 theme of Women Rising, as evidenced by Dr. Wyporska and rapper Isatta Sheriff. Marcel, founder of Kamitan Arts, also spoke about the need for more female representation in the arts and love and equality in the world.

“You know the problem in the world is that there is a disease called a lack of love. That is the problem in the world. This lack of love creates greed and power, inequality, and injustice. What we need more of is love,” Marcel said. “Let us please all individually be that one drop of water in the ocean that creates ripples of love and change, touching one another. It only needs one person with a thought, with a vision, with a passion to make a change for a better world.”

The partnerships between the London Women’s March, Fight Inequality Alliance, The Equality Trust, and many more is one of the most important aspects of fighting against inequality and power, according to London Women’s March co-organizer Aisha Ali-Khan. Ali-Khan emphasized the importance of building relationships with other organizations, stating, “If you want to make long lasting change, you need partnerships.” The London Women’s March was supported by a variety of non profit organizations and partnered with members of The Equality Trust, a charity calling for a “more democratic economy.”

Although, the 2020 London Women’s March did not boast large numbers as the previous year’s total of 15,000 attendees, demonstrators were no less enthusiastic about addressing elites and those in power. Comedian and activist Sajeela Kershi moderated the event and encouraged the crowd to address the figureheads meeting in Davos this week.

“Unfortunately, women have always borne the brunt of poverty and inequality, and that’s why we of the women’s march are here today alongside the rest of the Fight Inequality Alliance in the UK,” Kershi said to the crowd. “And you know what? We’re fucking proud, proud of our collective achievements!”

Accordingly, demonstrators at the march were given signs that said “Tax the Rich” and “The Future is Equal”, but many attendees crafted their own signs as a form of protest, including Jodie Clegg, 25, and Hayley Jones, 30, who attended the Women’s March for the first time because they “wanted to be a part of something.”

As the 2020 World Economic Forum continues to convene this week, women and allies across the globe are keeping a close eye on the event. Women are taking a stand to create a more equitable, emissions-free world. The Women’s March as well as Thunberg’s speech are indicators that women are fed up and are determined to stand up to power.