Fourth annual Women’s March Miami draws hundreds of supporters
Miami Gardens played host to hundreds of women who gathered in protest of gender inequality and domestic violence, among many other things.
Signs proclaiming everything from “Keep your policies off my body” to “Use your voice” were on display at Saturday’s fourth annual Women’s March Miami March and Rally. Ending with a rally at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, the event corresponded with dozens of similar demonstrations held across the country.
“We are committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance, direct lobbying, policy advocacy and the building of inclusive structures guided by self determination and respect,” read the Eventbrite description.
Women of all ages, identities and shades marched in solidarity with this mission, with various chants providing a soundtrack to their steps. Speakers at the rally included State Rep. Dotie Joseph, civil rights attorney Melba Pearson and transgender activist Brielle Roundtree.
“Women have to step up and get involved, and that’s one of the remarkable things that the Women’s Marches have done. We have to build continually on this momentum and this movement,” event speaker and activist Candii Reid told the South Florida Media Network.
Nearly 1 million people turned out to the first Women’s March held in Washington D.C. the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017. That single event spawned similar rallies in New York City, Denver and numerous other cities.
Saturday’s march in Washington drew “several thousands” of supporters, while hundreds attended Manhattan’s gathering, according to The Associated Press.
Marching, however, was only a small portion of Women’s March Miami’s plan. The organization also plans to host a rally in Tallahassee on Jan. 22 to fight “against legislation that aims to strip us of our body autonomy and dignity,” the event description reads.
This story was originally published January 18, 2020 at 4:43 PM.
