Saturday, January 21, 2017…. The day after the new US president is sworn in…. Millions in Washington, DC and over 600 cities around the world will peacefully stand and march, shoulder-to-shoulder, to affirm our shared humanity and send a unified rainbow of bold messages for the protection of women’s rights. Women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights, so the Unity Principles of the Women’s March on Washington and its Sister Marches include: ending violence, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA rights, worker’s rights, civil rights, disability rights, immigrant rights, and environmental justice. Hear our voices!

For more on the mission and principles of the Women’s Marches, which are positive, not protests, see www.womensmarch.com/mission.

Frederick, Maryland's Sister March will be 11am-12:30pm. The distance is about ¼ mile.

RSVPs at start time: 573 here on our webpage, 517 on Facebook event page (some are duplicates).

Like many other Sister Marches around the world, ours was inspired & planned in just a few days--first meeting was Monday evening. Most activists here were already committed to go to DC, which is an hour SE. So people said we couldn't do a Sister March here. But YES WE DID!

***A NEW PLAN WAS ARRANGED WITH THE CITY BECAUSE SO MANY ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.

We’ll gather in the center of town, at the four corners of the intersection of Market & Patrick. (Tell your GPS it’s 1 S. Market St, 21701.) We will stand in vigil, chant, mingle, or march/walk around—peacefully and without blocking foot/vehicle traffic. As more people arrive we will spread out in all directions, lining the streets of the heart of our city with messages of inclusion and unity and our peaceful, powerful presence. Then organizers will lead our march south on Market for 1 ½ blocks, and turn east into the linear park along Carroll Creek. When most of the crowd has made its way along the creek to the amphitheater area, there will be some brief speeches by the organizers.

The rules: Do not block foot/vehicle traffic. Please be good to our city and everything in it.
At the park, do not stick signs and such in the dirt, which would damage wiring, hoses, etc.

What to bring: Family/friends/organization, or just yourself. Signs are welcome here; regular-sized ones rather than big ones or banners, please, and let’s keep it positive-not-protest. Bags and backpacks are OK. No amplification such as bullhorns (except for speeches at park). And of course no weapons/drugs/alcohol.

Got questions or need help during the event? Look for a red, white, or blue balloon, which will be attached to an organizer or guide. (We could still use a few more volunteer guides--please email Andrea and ask for her there.)

In case you’re wondering about all the pink hats: www.pussyhatproject.com

Parking: *UPDATED* Info at https://www.cityoffrederick.com/207/Parking. Click on “ADA accessible” for photomap; the first FAQ lists locations. The 5 city-owned garages are $1/hr, parking meters are $2/hr, and there’s walkable free parking especially to the northwest near Baker Park. Please carpool if you can.

Restrooms: *PLEASE USE PUBLIC RESTROOMS*—it only takes a few of us to be a nuisance to nearby shops. 4 Public restrooms open on Sat: Church St and Carroll Creek parking garages (see above), library (110 E Patrick, open 10-5), and city Visitor Center (keep going through park and turn right to 151 East St, open 9-5:30).

Interpreter for Frederick's strong Deaf community: Yes, there's a volunteer.

Contacts for questions/suggestions/volunteers:  organizers Andrea Norouzi, andibonita@gmail.com, or Jeannette Bartelt, JMBartelt@gmail.com. (Jeannette is now too busy with preparations to answer emails--if she missed you please understand and contact Andrea.)

***PLEASE CLICK ON "SEND RSVP" ON THIS PAGE, to help us know about how many to expect.

Then what? Spread the word, check back here for updates, make a sign, knit a hat, hug a woman or other sentient being…and join the conversation on our Facebook event page, https://www.facebook.com/events/586425338228377/?active_tab=discussion

During and after the march: To paraphrase Gloria Steinem at the DC event, greet one another, and talk about what you'll do for women's rights. And keep talking and doing. We won't go back....

***TEXT "WOMEN" TO 40649 TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT FROM THIS EVENT.

See you Saturday!

By attending, you agree to the following Women’s March guidelines: We are non-partisan, and will not use the Women’s March primarily to criticize politicians or political parties. We will use no violence (physical or verbal) towards any person. We will not destroy or damage property. We will promote a tone of respect, honesty, transparency, and accountability in our actions. We will not carry anything that can be construed as a weapon, nor possess (or consume) any alcohol or drugs. And we will all hold each other accountable to respecting these agreements.