Pictured is Cleveland activist and
Women's march Cleveland organizer Kathy Wray Coleman
BY KARLYNN WELLS OHIO
PUBLISHED 12:00 PM ET JAN. 23, 2020
CLEVELAND, Ohio — For the fourth year, local activists and organizers participated in the Cleveland’s Women's March.
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Local activists and organizers participated in Cleveland's Women's March
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Cleveland organizers say, given that it's an election year, people are re-energized
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Marches also took place in Akron, Cincinnati and Dayton
Hundreds of women took to Cleveland's City Hall steps to advocate for issues they say aren’t just women's’ issues, but human issues.
Women’s March Cleveland head organizer Kathy Wray Coleman says being that it’s an election year, people are re-energized.
“Stay involved. keep fighting stay involved, keep fighting,” said Coleman.
Marchers say they plan to keep this same energy come November.
“It’s an important election year in our history, we need to take action now to see all these issues of oppression addressed. We don’t want anyone left on the sidelines, we want people to get out there and vote, so we’re not only taking action here in the streets, but in the polls,” said a Cleveland Women's March participant.
“I feel lucky that I get to go to the polls. I think we should never forget that, but I also feel that it’s necessary,” said a Cleveland Women's March participant.
The first Women’s March took place in 2017 in cities across the country in response to the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
Coleman says this year, their voices will be heard —especially when it comes to issues such as reproductive rights and pay equity.
"There’s an obvious attempt to roll back Roe v. Wade. This is an issue about reproductive rights and civil rights. Women still don’t make what men make, and it’s even worse for black women,” Coleman said.
Ahlem Zaaeed, with the Greater Cleveland Immigration Support Network, was one of the speakers at this year's Women's March rally in downtown Cleveland, and says she marches for immigration reform and economic equality.
“We are seeing a loss of the middle class, the gap between the lower class and the upper class seems to be widening.” Zaaeed said.
Zaaeed says the consistent turnout each year of protesters in cities across the country sends a message — a message she hopes echoes even louder on Election Day.
“It is a testament to show that people are just done.” she said.
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