Women's March 2020 (Saturday, Jan. 18)

LA Times Staff Writer Colleen Shalby (latimes.com, Jan. 17, 2020); WomensMarchLA.org; Crystal Quintero, Seth Auberon, Ananda (DBM), Ashley Wells, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Stefahnie Sandoval, 15, of LA takes part in 3rd annual Women’s March (Irfan Khan/LA Times).

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Thousands expected at Women’s March in LA

We have to stand up! (Self-Help Graphics)

Marking the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment acknowledging women’s right to vote, tens of thousands of women [and male allies and supporters] will gather in Los Angeles and other cities across the country today [Jan. 18, 2020] to advocate for equal rights and other issues as part of the fourth annual Women’s March.

Since the first worldwide demonstration in 2017, coming the day after [our failure of a impeached but not yet ousted leader] Pres. Trump’s inauguration, organizers of the march have struggled with their own leadership issues.

Three of the four original founders – Bob Bland, Tamika Mallory, and Linda Sarsour – stepped down in September, following reports of infighting, money mismanagement, and controversy over their attendance at events hosted by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who had made [allegedly] anti-Semitic remarks.

Don't vote, you stupid broads. Shut up! Sit down.

The outrage led several groups to withdraw their support, including the Democratic National Committee and EMILY’s List, and prompted organizers at sister marches throughout the country, including Los Angeles, to define their separation from the national organization.

“We have been our own separate entity from Day One – our own nonprofit, our own board. We are self-funded,” said Emiliana Guereca, president of Women’s March Foundation.

Pussy hats and catch phrases...

But the group in Los Angeles now has an “open line of communication” with Women’s March Inc. and will work together when necessary. “There’s no time for infighting. Women’s rights are under attack.”

Despite the controversy, large crowds are expected to turn out for demonstrations across the country this weekend. In Los Angeles, thousands are expected to gather downtown, congregating at Pershing Square before marching to City Hall for a two-hour program featuring speakers that include:

• LA Dem. Reps. Maxine Waters and Karen Bass
• Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
• [women's] attorney Gloria Allred
• activists Caitlyn Jenner and Ta’Rhonda Jones, among others.

There will also be performances by Adrienne Bailon, Ray Chew, Jennifer Lewis, Seal, and Jordin Sparks.

“We’re expecting about half a million people to show up to downtown Los Angeles. We are expecting a nice day of female empowerment,” Guereca said. “We do expect a lot of people to take to the streets because it’s critical we do raise our voices for 2020.” More

• Women's March Los Angeles (womensmarchla.org) In 2020 women are rising to affirm that women's rights are human rights
• Women's March LA 2020, free tickets, Jan. 18 at 10:00 AM Eventbrite: Women's March LA Foundation: Official March...Pershing Square, DTLA
• Official Women's March LA 2020 Action Network Join us for the 4th Annual Women's March LA on Saturday, Jan. 18
• Downtownla.com/calendar: Women's March
• Black Lives Matter LA says it wasn't invited to participate in the Women's March LA...