3rd annual Women's March to take place on Jan. 27 - KZUM 89.3 FM – Local Radio in Lincoln, Nebraska

By Karynn Brown
Jan. 22, 2019

Sunday, January 27th will mark the third annual Women’s March on Lincoln, an event created to allow women’s voices to be heard as they fight for equality in today’s society. Inspired by the historic 2017 Women’s March on Washington shortly after the Trump inauguration, the local 2019 march promises a strong turnout of activism and discussion.

Saturday’s march will be for ten key political issues:

Ending Violence Against Women and Femmes
Ending State Violence
Reproductive Rights and Justice
Racial Justice
LGBTQIA+ Rights
Immigrant Rights
Economic Justice and Workers’ Rights
Civil Rights and Liberties
Disability Rights
Environmental Rights

These issues outline the march’s overarching themes of intersectionality, community, and political activism for all peoples.

The march will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Nebraska Student Union, located a 1400 R street, and continue down Centennial Mall toward the Capitol building, where speakers will share stories relating to the ten political issues. Organizers plan to have crossing guards to safely aid the marchers as well as approximately 600 signs to supply to the crowd. Donated coffee and hot chocolate will be available at the capitol building while supplies last.

This year’s Women’s March was postponed from January 19 to January 27th due to an impending snowstorm, but organizers are still expecting a significant turnout. Last year’s march brought 2,000 participants, while the 2017 march brought 4,000. This year’s Facebook event estimates some 2,400 participants interested or going.

The national Women’s March organization outlines part of their mission as “committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance and building inclusive structures guided by self-determination, dignity and respect.” The Lincoln Women’s March aims to uphold these values in their satellite march on the 27th.

KZUM’s The Servitive Hour hosted several Women’s March On Lincoln supporters and organizers on Tuesday, January 15th. The group of speakers included Catherine Lohmeier, Mar Lee, Guadalupe Esquivel, Haimi Yohannes. These speakers emphasized many of the goals and motivations of this year’s Women’s March, such as an inclusive and intersectional community.

“Every time we do our march, we are building a stronger community… we are building a voice for women.” says Catherine Lohmeier, an organizer of the past two marches.

Mar Lee emphasized the need to include transgender, gender non-conforming individuals, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the march, which is the mission that started their involvement.

Fighting for the stated goals brings unity and a chance for women and community members to speak for themselves. “[The march…] is a chance to walk and exist among women in a patriarchal society, to support women.” said Esquivel.

The group also emphasized the need for the march to increase overall political involvement. Many see Saturday’s event as a stepping stone to more protests and events, including the upcoming local mayoral and city council elections.

“If this is your first chance to get involved, do so, you won’t be disappointed.” says Lohmeier

Collette YellowRobe appeared on Earth To Lincoln to also talk about The Women’s March and the study on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. Those broadcasts can be heard here.