Protesters Rally and March in Downtown Tampa for International Women's Day

About 100 people gathered to call attention to issues impacting women nationwide, including reproductive rights and voting access.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Protesters filled the streets of downtown Tampa on Sunday to mark International Women's Day, holding a rally and march to highlight a range of issues affecting women, from reproductive rights to voting access and immigration. Organizers said the demonstration was meant to bring people from different backgrounds together to speak out on these important topics.

Why it matters

The protest comes at a time of ongoing debates and changes around women's rights and political participation, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade and new voting legislation that some fear could make it harder for women to exercise their right to vote. The march reflects the continued activism and advocacy for women's issues in the Tampa community and across the country.

The details

About 100 protesters first gathered outside Tampa City Hall before marching to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, holding signs and chanting slogans like 'When Black women are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!' and 'When immigrant woman are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!' Organizers said the goal was to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to speak out on the issues affecting women. Participants cited concerns over the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as well as new voting laws that they worry could make it harder for women to vote.

  • The protest took place on Sunday, March 9, 2026 to mark International Women's Day.
  • In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion.
  • In 2023, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act into law, prohibiting most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

The players

Emilee Seda

A resident of St. Petersburg who participated in the protest, citing the personal impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Bernadette Hornsby

A resident of Thonotosassa who expressed concerns about new voting laws and how they could affect women's ability to vote.

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What they’re saying

“I had the choice of either just staying at home or being here, and I wasn't going to not be here.”

— Emilee Seda (wfla.com)

“When Roe v Wade was overturned, I had gotten an IUD in my arm, and that messed with me completely. I personally went through physical changes and suffered through that. And just that was just to take one option to protect myself. So, I can't do that [anymore], I have to limit what I do.”

— Emilee Seda (wfla.com)

“I'm totally concerned about my daughters and granddaughters. With the new voting law. It might hurt women's, chance to vote because you have your name has to match your birth certificate. And a lot of women don't have that.”

— Bernadette Hornsby (wfla.com)

What’s next

The SAVE America Act, which would require voters to prove U.S. citizenship using specific forms of identification, is currently moving through the Florida Legislature after passing the state House last month. This legislation could have significant implications for women's voting rights in future elections.

The takeaway

The International Women's Day protest in Tampa reflects the ongoing activism and advocacy for women's rights and political participation, as communities nationwide grapple with the impacts of changes to reproductive rights and voting laws. The demonstration underscores the determination of women to make their voices heard and fight for the issues that matter most to them and their families.