SOMA ‘Equality March’ Will Mobilize LGBT Community

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — In conjunction with The National Equality March for Unity and Pride planned in Washington, DC, and several other local planned marches across the country, a coalition of community members and organizations are organizing a rally on Sunday that they’re dubbing “The Equality March: SOMA.”

According to a news release from organizers, local grassroots advocacy group SOMA Action will facilitate the march, which aims to “raise awareness and mobilize to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and fight to protect and advance human rights for all.”

The march will start at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 11 at Ricalton Square in Maplewood. It will proceed down Maplewood Avenue and left on Baker Street towards Maplewood Town Hall.

A rally will begin immediately following the conclusion of the march at Maplewood Town Hall, with special guest speakers and an official announcement of a proclamation recognizing pride month and raising of the rainbow pride flag. Participants will also observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the one-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre and the 12 transgender women of color who have been killed in 2017.

• See related article: Essex County LGBT Advocates: Orlando Shooting Won’t Stop Our Pride Celebration

Those that wish to participate in The Equality March: SOMA should gather at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 11 in Riclaton Square on Maplewood Avenue across from the movie theater in Maplewood, NJ. The march will step off at 10:15 a.m. Marchers and participants are encouraged to bring supportive LGBTQ signs and materials.

Supporting groups for the march include North Jersey Pride, West Orange Pride and The Equality March for Unity and Pride in Washington, DC.

For additional information contact Shannon Cuttle at (202) 744-4653, or safeschoolsnational@gmail.com.

Speakers and special guests will include:

• Maplewood Mayor Vic Deluca
• South Orange Village President Sheena Collum
• Assemblywoman Mila Jasey
• Chair of the Community Coalition on Race Robert Marchman
• ACLU-NJ Interim Executive Director Diane Du Brule
• Cub Scout Joe Maldonado
• SOMA Action LGBTQ Committee Chair Minh Nguyen
• Columbia High School Spectrum Club
• Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund Executive Director Jillian Weiss

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Don’t forget to visit the Patch South Orange Facebook page here.

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