SLO Women’s March sets date for fourth annual rally downtown as 2020 election looms
The Women’s March in San Luis Obispo has set a date for its fourth annual rally, titled “The Time Is Now.”
The event will begin at Mitchell Park downtown on Jan. 18 at 10 a.m., followed by the march through downtown at 11 a.m.
Shortly after the election of Donald Trump as president, the Women’s March held its first local rally in January 2017, drawing thousands who joined with protesters around the world.
Now, as the 2020 election looms in November, the movement is re-energized in hopes of spreading a message of action.
“We are heading into a historic election year that will decide the direction of our country,” said Andrea Chmelik, Women’s March SLO lead and communications director, in a statement. “When we first marched in 2017, our goal was to send a strong message to the administration that we are united in our fight for equal rights and civil liberties. Our message in 2020 is that the time is now to rise up. The time is now to save our democracy and protect our planet, before it’s too late. The time is now to be bold, brave and loud.”
A lineup of speakers and performers will advocate for human rights, women’s rights, social justice and environmental justice, among other issues.
Speakers include sexual assault victim, climate activist
Kendra Williams, a Cal Poly psychology professor and advocate for victims of sexual assault and harassment, will be one of the featured speakers.
Williams was victimized by a fellow Cal Poly faculty member who was convicted in San Luis Obispo Superior Court of taking pictures up her skirt with a cell phone. She has been outspoken in advocating for survivors of abuses.
Other speakers include Carmen Bouquin, a climate justice organizer, Cuesta College student and SLO County Youth for Environment Action founder; Wendy Lucas, a member of the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini (YTT) Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region; and 2008 San Luis Obispo Poet Laureate Dian Sousa.
Performers include Talitha Gabrielle, Lewis & Rose, Eliana Nunley and Diane Steinberg Lewis. Chanters and drummers, including Samba Loca, will accompany the march. More than 30 nonprofit organizations and activist groups will share information about their services and volunteer opportunities.
Since 2017, Women’s March has coordinated more than 40 events attended by 25,000 people, including rallies and marches for women’s rights, immigrant rights and gun safety.
Other activities have included town hall forums, panels to encourage women to run for office and more.
“Women’s March SLO has highlighted the importance of community activism and advocacy in creating political and social change,” said Chmelik. “We’ve seen women organizing, advocating, leading, running for office and getting elected in record numbers. This is not the time to stop. We will continue engaging the Central Coast community in working toward a positive and just future for all people.”
For more information, go to womensmarchslo.com.
This story was originally published January 3, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
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