A Women’s March is planned for Saturday in Boston. Here’s what to know.
Over 1,200 people say they plan to attend, according to organizers.
On Saturday afternoon, hundreds, if not over a thousand people, are planning to gather on Boston Common for the March for our Democracy as part of the national Women’s March movement.Holding the marches throughout the country, according to the national event’s website, is in response to the national political climate, namely in response to President Donald Trump and his Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, a judge for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals who has been lauded by conservatives. Barrett would take the place of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, known for her liberal stances, who died of pancreatic cancer at age 87 last month.Boston’s march on Saturday, one of a number in Massachusetts, is set to begin at 2 p.m. with a speaking program on the Common, followed by a short march ending at City Hall, according to organizer Siobhan Reidy. Speakers include a member of Black Boston and a student representative from Northeastern University, among others.“I really wanted to have students and young voices at the center of this because it’s so crucial to our future,” Reidy told Boston.com in a phone interview.
The details:
- March for our Democracy
- When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020
- Where: Boston Common, 139 Tremont St.
- What to know: Masks are required. If inclement weather, it’ll be held virtually.
A senior at UMass Amherst studying political science, Reidy, 21, of Wilmington, said she heard of other marches happening and decided that when she didn’t hear of an event organized for Boston, she would take the lead. Reidy attended the Women’s March in 2017 and felt the upcoming event was important given the current divisive political climate and her concerns over things like reproductive rights, racial justice, and other social issues.Now, over 1,200 people have said they plan to attend, according to Reidy. In the case of inclement weather, the event will carry on virtually.“We have had a really amazing number of people who have been interested,” she said.Masks are required for attendance, and volunteers will be handing them out and will have hand sanitizer. Anyone not wearing a mask will be asked to leave, according to Reidy.From her perspective, and for those close to her, Reidy said there are days when “it just feels like our hearts are just breaking,” considering how many people have died nationally from the COVID-19 pandemic and how many people are victims of police violence, plus the potential lack of reproductive equality.“It’s kind of hard to put into words how frustrating and concerning all of this is,” she said.Considering that many people in government are much older than her, Reidy said she’s also concerned about the future and the effects of climate change, issues that could have negative impacts during her lifetime but not for those currently in power.“It’s just frustrating,” she said. “It’s disheartening, but it’s almost motivating to be the change that we want to see.”She said the message central to the event is the push for people to get out and vote this November.“This is meant to be a unifying event,” she said.
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