Eastern Sierra Women’s March Planned for January 20 in Bishop

Bishop, CA – Planning is underway for an Eastern Sierra Women’s March to be held in Bishop on Saturday, January 20. The event is open to everyone (not just women) and will kick off at 9 AM at the front of the Bishop City Park.

Womens March Nancy Upham photo

2017 Bishop Women’s March/Photo courtesy of Nancy Upham

The march is intended as a peaceful demonstration, with the goals of unifying the local community, promoting women’s rights and empowerment, and advancing social justice and environmental causes. Local community volunteers hope to spread awareness that efforts that empower women also help create thriving local communities.

Event planners include Jolie Varela, Janet Carle, Kim Mitchell, Jess Ary, Alondra Figueroa, Virginia Figueroa, Tiffany Lau, Julie Tiede, Fran Hunt and Shawn Louth.  They are inviting Eastern Sierra residents toshow up and be counted as believing in a world that empowers women and is equitable, just and safe for all, where the rights and dignity of each person are protected and our planet is safe from destruction.

As expressed by Jolie Varela of Bishop, inclusivity and understanding are key themes of the march, “As an Indigenous woman I look forward to standing in solidarity with all women, all people, to protect and stand up for our future generations.”

Picking up on the power of diversity and unity, Virginia Figueroa of Bishop explained, “Women from different cultures and beliefs can come together to embrace and empower each other, help with the different challenges we face day to day, and make a better world for all.”

Mono County resident and volunteer, Janet Carle, explained her motivation for helping organize the event by saying, “Now more than ever, women need to raise our voices and take to the streets. 2018 is a critical year to work to preserve and expand progress on human rights, environmental protection, and climate action that we can’t take for granted anymore.”

Bishop resident Alondra Figueroa summed up many of the volunteer organizers’ hopes for the march well by saying, “I believe that when women come together, passion for many interrelated causes comes together. We unlock each other’s full potential, we harness incredible energy, and we create change. When we all come together in solidarity and empower each other, we empower the world.”

March organizers invite everyone who wants to participate to arrive at the front of the Bishop City Park by 9 AM.  There will be a brief program of speakers and music before the march steps off.  The march will begin and end at the City Park and additional activities are planned at the park following the march.  Organizers are seeking to promote a tone of respect, honesty, and accountability throughout the event.

Participants are encouraged to dress for cold weather and bring signs to carry as they march.  Volunteers are needed to help that day.  Please contact Jess Ary at [email protected] if you would like to volunteer to help make the day a safe and successful one. Community groups are invited to apply to have a table at the post-march gathering in the park.  Please contact Julie Tiede at [email protected] or 760-915-0052 if your group or organization would like to have a table.

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading