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Hundreds of thousands are expected to rally in Washington, DC, on Saturday for the Women’s March on Washington. It’s happening the day after Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, but it could be bigger than the inauguration itself.
Whether you’re following along at home or making the trek to DC yourself, here’s what you can expect on Saturday.
This post will be updated as more information comes in.
The march schedule
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2017
Time: The rally portion of the event, featuring speeches and musical performances, is scheduled to begin at 10 am Eastern and end at 1:15 pm.
The rally will turn into an actual march at 1:15 pm. It will proceed down the National Mall to The Ellipse, a large public park just south of the White House and north of the Washington Monument.
Starting location: The starting point and rally will be the intersection of Independence Avenue and Southwest Third Street, Washington, DC, near the US Capitol.
Announced speakers
The list of scheduled speakers and musical performers is huge. Organizers haven’t released a specific schedule, or clarified how they plan to fit everybody in during the three hours and 15 minutes that are currently scheduled for the rally.
The speakers, which organizers said “cut a wide swath across racial justice, reproductive rights, immigrant rights, LGBTQAI, and environmental communities, which reflects the March’s inclusive platform,” will include:
- Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Erika Andiola, Ilyasah Shabazz, J. Bob Alotta, Janet Mock, LaDonna Harris, Maryum Ali, Melanie Campbell, Rabbi Sharon Brous, Rhea Suh, Sister Simone Campbell, Sophie Cruz, Zahra Billoo, America Ferrera, Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, Ashley Judd, Scarlett Johansson, Melissa Harris-Perry, Michael Moore, Amanda Nguyen, Randi Weingarten, Van Jones, George Gresham, Mothers of the Movement (Sybrina Fulton, Lucy McBath, Maria Hamilton, Gwen Carr), Hina Naveed, Judith LaBlanc, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Aida Hurtado, Melissa Mays, Raquel Willis, Rosyln Brock, Sister Ieasha Prime, The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Ai-jen Poo, Wendy Carrillo, Dr. Cynthia Hale, and the March co-chairs Bob Bland, Carmen Perez, Linda Sarsour, and Tamika Mallory.
Scheduled musical guests
Janelle Monáe, Maxwell, and Angelique Kidjo are the headline names on a list of performers that also includes Toshi Reagon, Samantha Ronson, Emily Wells, DJ Rekha, MC Lyte, St. Beauty, Beverly Bond, Alia Sharief, DJ Rimarkable, Amber Coffman, the Indigo Girls, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Climbing PoeTree.
Logistical concerns
If you’re going to the march, there are very strict rules on what you can bring. Small bags only, no backpacks unless they’re clear (including for carrying medical or breastfeeding supplies), and one gallon plastic bag is allowed for food.
It will be quite warm for DC in January, with highs in the mid-50s. Dress in layers, but you won’t need to break out the Arctic-explorer parka.
The Metro will open at 5am instead of the usual weekend time of 7am, and will run extra trains. Expect road closures and completely bonkers traffic if you’re trying to get anywhere close to downtown by bus or car. The Washington Post has more information on travel logistics.
The Women’s March website has links and resources on logistical information, accessibility for people with disabilities, digital security tips for protesters, knowing your rights as a protester in DC or as a photographer, and more.
Organizers have created a primer video on what people need to know before going:
Lori Boerner and Kay Sera created this handy interactive Google map of places to warm up, use the bathroom, and/or get food and drinks in downtown DC. They also have a printable list of these locations for the inevitable moments when cellphone reception will be spotty.
