More than 1,000 Contra Costa County friends and families display community strength
In Walnut Creek, Calif.–a town not typically known for activism–a diverse group of people from neighboring communities have organized a women’s march, showing strength in numbers, in Contra Costa County to shed light on the importance of women having equity to lead at all levels in society – while recognizing that our diverse, safe, and thriving communities are the backbone of our country.
The march demonstrates that a diverse community, with varying political affiliations and beliefs, can join in the spirit of democracy, to protect the human rights of all citizens and defend those marginalized among us, sending a message to leaders, that the United States of America stands for the values of human decency, equal rights and freedom from discrimination.
While supportive of the sister marches taking place in the surrounding Bay Area communities, and across the nation, organizers feel it’s important to support the local community. Regardless of a person’s race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual identity, economic status, or immigration status, it is imperative the community come together and fearlessly lead with empathy as a unified collective to initiate change.
If one person in our community is threatened or attacked, we all are.
Everyone in the community–women, men, children, and seniors of all races and ages–are invited to a non-partisan event to peacefully rally and march together.
- When: Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: Music and Rally at Civic Park in Walnut Creek, CA (on the corner of Broadway and Civic).
- Details: Music and entertainment by the rock band Juice with Ron Lorenz, the Meher School Choir, The Las Lomas Sophomore Jazz Combo and the Peter Pan Foundation Performance Troupe will start at 10 a.m.
- March Route: scheduled to start at 12:15 p.m., map available on the event website. Streets will not be closed to traffic. The march is on the sidewalk only, on both sides of the street from Civic Park, heading west on Civic Dr. to Locust Street, south to Olympic Blvd., east to Main Street, north back to Civic Dr. and onto BART to join the rally in San Francisco or back to Civic Park.
- Media check-in: starting at 10 a.m. behind the gazebo at Civic Park, on Civic Dr. & Broadway.
The Women’s March Contra Costa County/Walnut Creek is a sister-march to the march in Washington, D.C. on the same day. Hundreds of marches taking place throughout the country and world on January 21st affirm shared humanity and pronounce a bold message of resistance and self-determination.
Prior to the march, speakers at the event include:
- Margaret Hanlon-Gradie, Executive Director of the Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County, AFL-CIO,
- Will McGarvey & Leslie Takahashi from the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County,
- Julie Rabinovitz, President and CEO of Essential Access Health,
- Dr. Lori Watson, a Racial Equity Transformation Specialist,
- Cheryl Dumesnil an LGBTQ author, mother and poet,
- Ejaz Naqvi, practicing Muslim, author and physician, and
- Caroline Francois, Sienna Terry, and other local area students.
- Congressmember Mark DeSaulnier, U.S. House of Representative Eric Swalwell and California State Senator, Nancy Skinner are also joining to support the event.
Following the march, participants are encouraged to head together by BART to join the San Francisco rally in solidarity with the greater sister march community.
For more information, visit: www.womensmarchwccc.wixsite.com/march
24 comments
Your article written “by ECT” reads more like a straight press release from the march organizers. The press is supposed to report the news, not MAKE it. Keep such things to your overt editorial pages.
Every published post says by ECT.
That is NOT a responsive reply.
The article says “press release.” Can you read?
Not the issue, Nick. See my comment below.
ECT sponsors these kinds of “anarchy” events to try and disrespect an elected president. It’s ok, no one is dumb enough to think ect is objective in any way. Like a straight up press release for the dnc.
A lot of Republicans are against Trump – including my wife and I. It’s just a press release. Calm down.
Reminds me of Women’s Suffrage Movement behind the scenes in the movie Mary Poppins except for the message. Women’s right to vote (Poppins) vs. what? What is this cause about exactly?
You’re missing the point, ECT. The point is that you shouldn’t disguise your (or others’) opinions as “news.” If you want to publish opinions and editorials, fine. Just have the integrity to identify them as such.
You don’t get it. This article states PRESS RELEASE. “An official statement issued to newspapers giving information on a particular matter.” First you whine that this reads like a press release – and it is. Then you accuse ECT of identifying this article as “opinion or editorial.”
It’s a press release – period. What part of press release don’t you understand?
Disguising opinion with fact is the very definition of “fake news”. I’d only be sad if I thought ect was even remotely objective to begin with.
The very “definition of ‘fake news'” is that the news is NOT FACTUAL. What part of “press release” in this piece is opinion? This is not an “anarchy” event — it’s an organized march to support women’s rights. The president elect and many others have repeatedly and publicly disrespected women’s rights during and after this campaign and citizens are well within their civil rights to publicly demand accountability.
Yawn….
I’m all for the women’s march ,especially when I’m walking behind it.
Nice. Do you like to make catcalls too?
You may want to consider who is walking behind you. Just sayin’.
=sarcasm on=
From now until he’s dethroned, the Emperor’s Secret Police will be doing all the following.
=sarcasm off=
Fake news
Liz – right on! My kids and I will be there in support of their Mommy, who will be marching onward!
For those that feel like they should make disparaging comments: You don’t have to watch this, like I and many others didn’t watch the inauguration. And, if you don’t understand or find yourself to be confused by these actions, you may consider approaching someone you may have avoided this past year for political reasons with an open mind and heart. Afterall, you don’t want to be sore winner – do you?
Spending more time to understand how one man’s tweets and actions have infected our society would be more productive than tearing down the healing actions of people anonymously.
Thank you Tom.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow!
Love Trumps Hate
Thank you Tom, Nick and ECT.
Complainers are afraid because they know just how strong women truly are . A bunch of women will get the job done. Most of the complainers subconsciously know this as a fact, because they had mothers that did it all. They know that their mother was there and they depended on her. They know that she would come through for them. Women have the power. Don’t be afraid, don’t hate, imitate.
Contra Costa County, over 1.3 million in population. 1000 +/- participating makes this a very small event. If it were not for their own press releases no one would even know it took place. Just another show of anger and discontent by a very small group of individuals. The hypocrisy is the only thing that catches my attention. Other than that they can walk all they want because no one is really taking up their self serving, “look at me” cause seriously. If it makes them feel better about themselves then I say good luck with that. I still give them a great big Yawwwwwn.
For all the men who aren’t supportive, I hope you don’t have a Mom, grandmother, wife or daughters. If you do (and you do) I feel sorry for them.
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