In recent weeks, the narrative around the 2019 Women’s March has centered on everything from event cancellations in select cities to the controversy over leadership affiliations and the erasure of Black women. But in spite of the negative press, organizers in New York City say the mission of the grassroots activists who started the national movement has not changed. On Saturday, January 19 the women who were emboldened to take a stand against the problematic rhetoric of Donald Trump, will indeed move forward. This year, New York organizers will build on the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and join with the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) to bring forth a march that is inclusive of all women, regardless of color, nationality, or religion. “On January 19th, we are lifting up and expanding Dr. King’s vision of a more just America that does not discriminate on the basis of race, class, gender, ability, sexuality, religion, nationality, disability, color or creed,” said Agunda Okeyo, Director of Women’s March NYC.In a statement, the group said, “The Women’s March in NYC will highlight the leadership of Black women, women of color, and immigrant women as part of the national #WomensWave, and in response to the Trump Administration’s continued assault on immigrant communities and communities of color.” In advance of the event, the organizers of the NYC march plan to unveil a statewide policy platform centering women, girls, femmes and gender nonconforming people. A statement outlining the agenda says it will “provide a strategic vision of how to encourage the New York State legislature and leadership to implement progressive policies that serve to strengthen local communities. Policy priorities include passing driver’s licenses for all New Yorkers, an expansion of the Liberty Defense Project, and extending healthcare coverage for all New Yorkers, including all women and immigrants from across the state.” January 19 will mark the third annual march. Roughly 135 sister marches are expected to take place around the world during the same weekend.
