(CNN) The 2019 Women's March in Washington DC felt like a party with a purpose. I took the train down from New York for the day to live-draw the events, the third such march I have drawn in the last three years.

What I witnessed was a group of passionate attendees with many different reasons for being there: to build camaraderie, to express anger, to take action and to mend broken fences. All of these objectives were loosely connected by the theme of equality.

The real theme, however, became clear early in the day when the loudspeaker played Aretha Franklin singing "Respect." The crowd erupted into dance and song. It appeared to be the day's anthem. All there were looking for respect for women.

Liza Donnelly

The party was also a friendly one. When I had to squeeze through a crowded area (which I had to do numerous times), I was greeted with, "Oh, sorry!" It was a crowd of mostly women, after all.

However, the good cheer was peppered with elements of fury: Some signs were so vulgar I was concerned for the few children I saw in attendance. There was also a tone of 'Be angry! No more playing nice! Don't wait for what we want!'"

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