Over 1000 sign up for Women’s March in San Luis Obispo
Women’s March organizers Andrea Chmelik, Dawn Addis, and Jen Ford.
March slated for Jan. 21 starting at 10 a.m.
–More than 1,000 women and allies will rally in downtown San Luis Obispo Jan. 21 for The Women’s March SLO, starting in Mitchell Park at 10 a.m. The march, endorsed by the National Women’s March on Washington, is part of an international movement for women, men, and children who stand for human rights, civil liberties, diversity, and compassion for our shared humanity.
“We have a team of volunteers working tirelessly on inclusion and safety – both of which are top priorities. Our mission, as organizers, is to create a welcoming environment for people from all backgrounds,” Jen Ford, one of the founding organizers, said.
Several speakers will address the crowd, including attorney Erica Flores Baltodano who began her career working on cutting-edge social justice and civil rights issues in Los Angeles and is now managing partner of Baltodano & Baltodano LLP; SLO Police Chief Deanna Cantrell; and the President of the Muslim Student Association at Cal Poly Rubia Siddiqi, among others. Atascadero singer-songwriter Inga Swearingen will perform a song.
Organizers are bringing local community resources to the Mitchell Park. “Our goal is to connect people with organizations that serve their communities and inspire them to get involved beyond the march,” Andrea Chmelik, the outreach coordinator, said. “Any community resource centers that would like to join our Call to Action Alley are welcome to contact us at womensmarchslo@gmail.com.” Already confirmed are non-profits such as RISE, Access Support Network, Planned Parenthood, Transitions-Mental Health Association and Citizen Climate Lobby SLO.
“The feedback has surpassed every expectation,” Dawn Addis, another founding organizer, said. “The message of pro-peace, pro-inclusion, non-partisanship is resonating with people who are coming from as far south as Los Angeles and as far north as Cambria. We encourage people to come together, in unity, to share their voice in terms of what they are marching for, what they stand for, what they demand in terms of women’s and human rights.” A new hashtag #whyimarch is trending and Addis encourages people to share why they march on the Women’s March San Luis Obispo Facebook page.
The organizers also request that marchers go to www.womensmarchslo.com to register and donate. Registration is free and helps the organizers plan for this historic day. Donations go to critical expenses such as safety and support services, the cost of which increases with the number of attendees.
Comments
