Nearly 1,000 Gather In Naples For Women's March

Nearly 1,000 people gathered in Naples Saturday for the second annual Women's March--exactly one year since President Donald Trump's inauguration. It was hosted by Collier Freedom. 

Women, men, children and even dogs carried signs, reading "Black Lives Matter" and "Grab Em By The Polls". Several wore the iconic crude pink hats that debuted at last year's Women's March in Washington D.C., the day after Trump was sworn into office.

RELATED: Two Florida Gulf Coast University Students Join Marchers in D.C.

Giselle Alvarado, who came to the march wearing a knitted pink hat and a sign that read "Make America Sane Again," said the Women's March is about more than women's issues. 

“It’s a women’s march, but you can see many gentlemen around, because this is a whole people’s march,” said Alvarado. 

Alvarado also brought her 6-year-old niece, Valentina, who also wore a pink hat and held a sign that read "Diversity Is Our Strength."

"I want to support the people," Valentina said. "And I want to respect them."

Farther ahead in the march was Bonnie Johnson. She identifies as a conservative and said she volunteers at Planned Parenthood. She held little sign that read "Republicans For Family Planning".

“I’m a firm believer in individualism," said Johnson. "And I believe in family planning as an important way to allow women to have choices.” 

There are plenty of men participating in the march. However, there was one man not participating. Thomas Groenings leaned up against a palm tree, smoking a cigar, and held a small paper with "All Lives Matter" written in Sharpie on it. 

"Black lives, blue lives, purple lives. All lives matter," said Groenings. "I don't like the anti-Trump [sentiments]. We didn't do that for eight years when Obama was in office." 

The Women’s March culminated in Cambier Park. Politicians who are currently in office and aspiring politicians spoke about the importance of women being visible and having equal rights and equal pay.

The most sobering moment was when  somber music played as a procession of about 30 women get on stage holding "#MeToo" signs.

Then, there was a moment of silence for all victims of sexual assault, and hope was expressed that the next generation won’t have to use the words "me too".