Women’s March Returns To Charlotte: Route, Speakers

CHARLOTTE, NC — One year after the Women's March drew an estimated 10,000 to Charlotte’s uptown, protest organizers are planning another demonstration in the Queen City.

The ReMarchable Women event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 20, kicking off with a bevy of local speakers, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and Rep. Alma Adams. Event organizers say the event is focused on advancing “sustainable engagement for change and parity,” and advocating equity and equality for all people, civic engagement, science and education as well as women’s health. The march is part of a collective 2018 Women’s March agenda called #PowerToThePolls.

Last year's protests were sparked by the election of Donald Trump as the United States' 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.

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 Charlotte:

The Speaker’s Forum:
This year's march will kick off with a rally in First Ward Park in uptown Charlotte, according to march organizers. The rally will begin around 10 a.m. and continue until 12 p.m., featuring a number of speakers

Confirmed speakers include Jan Anderson, president of the Charlotte Women’s March; Regina Stone-Garver; Rep. Alma Adams; Jill Dinwiddie of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic; Lynn Erdman; Jade Jackson of Poor People’s Campaign; Pam Huston, Rose Hamiid of Muslim Women of the Carolinas; Delores Johnson Hurt of League of Women Voters; Yisel Pomier Maren of Latin American Coalition; Carolyn Logan of Black Women’s Caucus; Melba Evans of National Organization for Women; Rev. Amantha Barbee and Zach Thomas.

The speaker’s forum will end around noon when the march begins.

March route:
This year's march begins in First Ward Park at 7th Street and Brevard Street in uptown Charlotte and will head to Romare Bearden Park, located at 1st Street and Church Street. The march route is less than a mile.

March start time:
The march begins at noon.

How to get there:

• The best way to attend the March is to use the Lynx Blue line. Park at any station and take the train to the 7th Street Station. First Ward Park is across the street. From Romare Bearden Park, go to either the 3rd Street or Convention Center Blue Line station to return home.

• If you prefer to drive, there is ample off-street parking in Uptown Charlotte. The City of Charlotte publishes a map of parking locations at Park It!
• If you are chartering a bus, there will be a drop off area for buses next to First Ward Park on Brevard Street between 8th and 9th Streets and a pickup area next to Romare Bearden Park on 3rd Street between Church St. and Mint St.

What to bring (and what not to bring):
Event organizers encourage participants to make their own signs and said they prefer signs with positive messages. For safety reasons, signs should not be mounted on wooden or metal sticks.

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. You will automatically receive updates on the march by joining the email list here or register for the event here.

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