Annapolis Women's March 2018: Site, Speakers, Focus On Voting

ANNAPOLIS, MD — One year after the Women's March drew crowds to Lawyer's Mall in Annapolis while millions of protestors gathered at similar events nationwide, organizers are planning another demonstration in the city. The Women's March Alliance, a group that was formed by the organizers of last year's marches across the country, will hold a rally and march in Annapolis on Saturday, Jan. 20, according to organizers.

Last year's protests were sparked by the election of Donald Trump as the United Sates' 45th President and were held on Jan. 21, the day after his inauguration. Whether you're taking to the streets Saturday or trying to avoid the march, here's what you need to know about the 2018 Women's March on Annapolis, which organizers say will focus on voter registration.

The rally:

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Lawyers Mall, 101 State Circle, in Annapolis. Following the speeches, the group will march around Government House, Church Circle and then down (opposite direction of traffic) Main Street. Annapolis police will control traffic with road closures as the march proceeds through the city.

"This year we will be highlighting grassroots and social justice groups that have been doing so much great work over the last year and are continuing to do so, especially the communities who may not have been represented in last events," organizers said online.

Speakers from organizations across the state will talk about their missions for 2018 and how people can get involved. March On Maryland specifically is launching March On The Polls, an initiative that begins with voter registration and engagement and culminates in marches to the polls on primary and general election days. RSVP here and at MobilizeMaryland.com or on the Facebook event.

Speakers:

• Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley
• Anne Arundel County Indivisible - Yasemin Jamison
• Anne Arundel Huddle Network - Diane Odell
• The Arc Maryland - Ande Kolp, Executive Director
• The Arundel Patriot - Vicky Bruce, Editor
• Waleska Casiano-Matos, immigration lawyer
• Caucus of African American Leaders - Vickie Gipson
• Connecting The Dots - Monica Lindsey
• The Conversation Starters - Allie Moore
• Evelyn’s Law - Felicia Anthony
• Get Money Out Maryland - Susan Ogden
• InformBlue - Sarah Mogol
• Judge Claudia Barber
• Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women - Stacy Korbelak
• MLK Jr Committee - Darius Stanton
• NARAL Pro-Choice - Diana Philip, Executive Director
• Planned Parenthood - Karen Nelson, CEO PP Maryland
• PFLAG - Alyssa Fenix
• Progressive Maryland - TBD

Parking:

There is parking at various garages throughout the city. Closest to the rally and starting point of Lawyer’s Mall is the Calvert Street Garage – the entrance is around the block on St. John Street. It is free on weekends. Other parking options may be found at https://annapolisparking.com/.

Suppporters:

Supporting organizations and speaker sources are Action Annapolis, Anne Arundel County Indivisible, Anne Arundel Huddle Network, Connecting The Dots, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, Get Money Out – Maryland, March On, Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women, NARAL Pro-Choice MD, PFLAG Anne Arundel County, Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Progressive Maryland, Take Action AAC, Together We Will, and WISE.

Photo from 2017 New Jersey Women's March by Patch Editor Karen Wall