On Saturday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. thousands will gather to march at the San Diego Women’s March, held in solidarity with the Women’s March On Washington. The march will start with a gathering in front of Civic Center Plaza, at 1200 Third Ave. Marchers will then proceed on Broadway to Harbor Drive. The march will end in front of the County Administration Building, on the Harbor Drive side.
There are around 300 volunteers working on the San Diego Women’s March, lead by a diverse executive committee. The Facebook event is reporting a confirmed crowd of more than 8,600, and almost 12,000 “interested,” with the numbers growing daily. Support is pouring in from local non-profits, including Planned Parenthood, San Diego NOW (National Organization for Women), NextGen California, the ACLU and Run Women Run.
“Run Women Run is honored to participate in the San Diego Women’s March. California is a place where we respect and protect women’s rights, civil rights, equal pay and reproductive choice. Here we have the opportunity to set an example for other states around the country. It is our mission to do this by electing women to public office to continue to uphold these values,” said president of Run Women Run Michelle Burton. The San Diego Women’s March is grateful for Police Chief Zimmerman and the SDPD, who have been supportive and accommodating in planning this massive event.
Female- and male-identifying individuals, the trans, non-binary and genderqueer community, and families of all backgrounds will stand united in response to the negative climate around women in the recent election. Sabrina and Robert Miller, Navy veterans, will be in attendance with their 5-year-old daughter, Amelia. Sabrina Miller, who suffers from PTSD, obtained her degree in psychology upon completing her term in the Navy and currently works as a victim’s advocate. “I want to march for my daughter and myself to come together in unity for the purpose of saving and preserving women’s rights. We have come a long way but there is much to do and fight for. Making our voices heard is the first step,” said Sabrina Miller.
Syrian-American UCSD PhD student Banah Ghadbian is another marcher. “I think we are at a historic crossroads. In Syria, children and women began a revolution in 2011 by marching in the streets demanding an end to torture and violence. The most vulnerable voices took the lead. We have to make our voices heard, and speak the things that are otherwise silenced. This march is a beautiful opportunity to do just that,” Ghadbian said.
These are just two out of thousands of inspiring stories from marchers. Marchers from all over San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties and more will be coming to downtown San Diego to take part in this historic event.
Monetary contributions are needed to fund logistical necessities, and can be made at the San Diego Women’s March Kind.Fund campaign page. All proceeds will go towards logistical needs, with any remaining funds going directly to charities supporting women.
The San Diego Women’s March is an inclusive and diverse event, open to all who believe that women’s rights are human rights. For more information, visit sdwomensmarch.com.
Follow the movement on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use hashtags #sdwomensmarch, #womensmarchsd, and find us @womensmarch_sd.