Sarahi Rivas holding her placard on the Women's March in Auckland

This digital photograph shows Sarahi Rivas with her placard in Myers Park during the Women's March on Washington held in Auckland on 21 January 2017.

The Women's March was a global phenomenon which took place on the same day throughout the world featuring a broad coalition of nearly five million participants in over 600 Sister Marches in 60 countries on all seven continents. It was timed to protest the inauguration of the new United States president Donald Trump on 20 January 2017, and was intended to send a message to his administration on its first day in office that women's rights are human rights. The Washington march is now estimated to be the largest political demonstration in American history.

 Social media had enabled the idea to sweep rapidly across America and around the world. The original ethos of the Sister Marches was one of solidarity with America, but shifted to a global perspective, with many marchers concerned not only by Trump's misogynistic attitudes but his effect on global politics; rising far-right populism around the world; and local concerns over citizens' rights.

 Sister Marches took place across New Zealand with the largest marches in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Their mission was to 'stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognising that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country' (Women's March on Washington Aotearoa New Zealand Facebook).

 Sarahi Rivas is an American citizen who was travelling in New Zealand at the time of the march. She ‘was greatly disappointed about being unable to march back home in San Francisco, so when I heard a march had been organized in Auckland, I leaped at the rare and unique opportunity to walk in solidarity with my global allies in the fight for compassion and equality. Coming from a family of immigrants and a city characterized by many different forms of diversity, I have my personal experiences with those from all walks of life to thank for the strong curiosity I've come to have for the world and its many different people…. Marching in Auckland was a true testament to the good nature of our human race, and it was an experience I will never forget.’ Her placard references the huge groups of people who have been marginalised and descriminated against by Trump's statements and policies. The number of 65,844,954 references the outcome of the election which saw Hillary Clinton win the overall popular vote by 65.84 million votes to 62.98 million votes for Trump, which is a difference of 2.86 million.

Placards play a significant role in protest movements, demonstrations, and in the accompanying visual record. They can inspire creativity and collaboration in their making; they can take courage to carry; they add performative drama to demonstrations; they attract the notice of media and work closely in relationship to how cameras are positioned. The Women’s March placards were largely handmade and were notable for their strong messages and sense of humour. Humour, satire and parody were effective ways for protestors to deal with serious subjects, and helped keep protest spaces safe and non-threatening.

Collecting this image demonstrates the zeitgeist of this particular moment, but it also speaks to ongoing concerns about feminism and human rights. Organising committees both here and overseas are now striving to build on the success of the Women's Marches to make it a sustainable global movement. Future actions include the lobbying of elected officials.