Women's March Returns To NYC: Route, Speakers, Traffic Closures

NEW YORK, NY — One year after the Women's March drew 400,000 people to New York City's streets, protest 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 New York City on Saturday, Jan. 20, according to organizers.

March organizers estimated that hundreds of thousands of protesters will once again flood city streets in an effort to show support for the rights of women, immigrants, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, the religious and nonreligious, people of color and the environment as they struggle "to survive under the weight of the current administration."

"Our goal is to unite people all over the world in the fight for human rights. Women’s March Alliance is honored to be one of the leaders in this effort and we’re excited – but not surprised – that New Yorkers have already come out and committed themselves to leading the effort. There are marches happening all over the world on January 20th and 21st – there will surely be another record-setting #weekendofwomen," Katherine Siemionko, the founder of Women’s March Alliance and lead organizer of the New York City march, said in a statement.

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. This year's weekend of women is expected to result in 250 marches worldwide, and the New York City march is expected to be the largest, organizers said.

Whether you're taking to the streets Saturday or trying to avoid the march, here's everything you need to know about the 2018 Women's March on NYC:

The rally:

This year's march will kick off with a rally near Columbus Circle, according to march organizers. The rally will begin around 11:30 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m. on West 61st Street and Central Park West.

The 90-minute rally will feature a number of speakers and musical performances, according to parade organizers. Confirmed speakers include Tarana Burke, a founder of the #metoo movement, New Jersey politician Ashley Bennett and immigrants rights activist Angy Rivera, according to parade organizers.

The rally will end around 1 p.m. when the march begins.

March route:

This year's march route is much different than last year's. The march will begin on the Upper West Side about 10 blocks north of Columbus Circle, head down Central Park West, cut across to Sixth Avenue and then head down into Midtown, according to parade organizers.

Parade organizers will release a map of the exact route once all details are finalized and confirmed with the NYPD, according to a press release.

Marchers are supposed to enter on West 71st Street and Columbus Avenue and there will be overflow entrances on West 64th Street and Broadway, West 68th Street and Columbus Avenue and West 75th Street and Columbus Avenue.

March start time:

The march begins around 1 p.m. after the Columbus Circle rally is concluded, according to march organizers. Organizers expect the march to continue until around 4 p.m., but it could always run long depending on the number of marchers who show up.

Traffic closures:

The NYPD announced that it will shut down the main stretches of the march route as well as many roads near the route.

Here's a full list of traffic closures for Saturday's march:

Formation:

• Central Park West between 86th Street and Columbus Circle
• 76th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 74th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 71st Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 68th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 64th Street between Broadway and Central Park West
• 62nd Street between Broadway and Central Park West
• 61st Street between Broadway and Central Park West

Route:

• Columbus Circle between Central Park West and West 59th Street
• West 59th Street between Columbus Circle and 6th Avenue
• 6th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 45th Street

Dispersal:

• 45th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 44th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue
• 6th Avenue between West 45th and West 43rd Streets

What to bring (and what not to bring):

The 2018 Women's March will go on rain or shine, so be prepared for the elements. Organizers recommend marchers layer their outfits in order to make adjusting for changing weather easy. Umbrellas will be allowed at the march.

The NYPD will conduct security checks at the march entrances and will not be allowing anyone with large bags to enter. The following items are also not allowed: Anything that is normally illegal, wooden poles or sign handles, sticks, flagpoles, metal wires or handles. Miniature flags may also be confiscated.

Registration:

People do not need to register for this weekend's rally or march, but doing so will help organizers communicate any changes in plans. Anybody who RSVPs to the march's Facebook or Eventbrite pages will automatically receive updates on the march.

After the march:

The Women's March doesn't end after Saturday afternoon's demonstration. A number of activities have been organized by the Women's March Alliance and affiliate organizations for after the march that focus on topics such as activism, art and literature.

Check out a full list of events here.

Photo by Patch