Women's March, January 20, 2018

Women's March, January 20, 2018

A women’s march was held in Cumberland, Maryland on January 20, 2018. Sponsored by the Women’s Action Coalition of Greater Allegany County and organized by Ellen McDaniel-Weissler, the event consisted of a series of three contiguous rallies and speeches conducted at the Allegany County Courthouse, Canal Place Heritage Area and the Cumberland City Hall. Approximately 150 people attended the events.

The main emphasis was on women's rights and an effort to encourage women to run for elected office on the local, state and federal levels. Other issues that were referenced during the speeches focused upon the environment, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), gun control, sexual abuse, drugs, violence and harassment directed towards women, LGBTQ rights, civil rights, equal pay, the government shut-down, DACA/Dreamers, immigration in general, racism and pro-choice concerns.

A few signs and some comments were, to one degree or another, expressive of an “anti-Trump” nature. Most people were there out of concern for a specific issues(s).

As shown on one of the signs, “#Me Too” is a social media Hashtag that describes the widespread occurrences of sexual harassment and violence against women, particularly in the workplace.

Speakers included members of the clergy, various activists, elected officials, Democratic Party members and candidates from the Green, Democratic and Libertarian Parties running for various offices on the State and Federal levels.