White House press secretary Sean Spicer said he is not aware of any women who work in the White House who are participating in the “Day Without a Woman” protest Wednesday. Spicer added that support for women should not be limited to one day.
“I am not aware of any that are not here. I think everyone that I’m aware of has shown up and is working really hard to advance the president’s agenda,” Spicer said during his daily press briefing. “They’re committed to moving this country forward for those of you who will join the President throughout government, I think but obviously as the President stated today, we want to recognize the contributions that women make to our businesses, to our families, to our economy, to our society, and it’s a free country.”
Spicer was also asked if he thinks that women’s boycott is an effective form of protest. And while he didn’t answer that directly, he said he believes that people should be taking a stand for women every day.
“People have the right to express themselves, but I think that we should on a daily basis not just one day a year but 365 days a year appreciate the contributions that women make in all of those categories,” he said. “So it’s not, it shouldn’t be a daily thing and it’s, hopefully we can help fix that all bit more.”
Spicer’s comments came after some of House Democratic women walked out of the House chamber in solidarity with women striking around the country. They walked out to the front of the House where they made speeches and spoke with supporters who had gathered there. The lawmakers dressed in red as a sign of solidarity.
Watch on #Periscope: A Day Without Women with Members of Congress and supporters https://t.co/aK4kDQubur
— US Rep E.B.Johnson (@RepEBJ) March 8, 2017
I am proud to join my colleagues recognizing #InternationalWomensDay! We stand shoulder to shoulder to defend our rights. #BrooklynResists pic.twitter.com/7EdoCFqnWp
— Yvette D. Clarke (@RepYvetteClarke) March 8, 2017
It’s time for @HouseGOP to recognize that women’s rights are human rights. #IWD2017 #DayWithoutAWoman pic.twitter.com/jFvEvW7fnd
— Bonnie WatsonColeman (@RepBonnie) March 8, 2017
Honored to join my fellow Democratic women (and men!) standing in solidarity with #DayWithoutAWoman! #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/jAZhuIycdl
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) March 8, 2017
A big THANKS to all the women and men who came out today to support #daywithoutawoman #womensrightsarehumanrights pic.twitter.com/hTX4vpue86
— Brenda Lawrence (@RepLawrence) March 8, 2017
Proud to stand in solidarity with my colleagues on #InternationalWomensDay calling for #equalpayforequalwork! pic.twitter.com/EUpT3aV4i6
— Ann McLane Kuster (@RepAnnieKuster) March 8, 2017