Pictured from left are 2020 International Women's Day March Cleveland keynote speakers U.S. Senate candidate Morgan Harper, a Columbus-based attorney and progressive activist who worked under then D.C. consumer watch dog Richard Cordray when Barack Obama was president, and Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Cheryl Stephens, a former Cleveland Heights Mayor and the lieutenant governor candidate on the gubernatorial ticket of former Democratic Dayton mayor Nan Whaley, and longtime grassroots activist Cheryl Lessin (If the entire picture is not show click on the title herein in latest news)

The theme of this year's march in Cleveland, the 6th annual march, and for International Women's Day internationally, is #Stand Against Bias. The event will be held on Tues, March 8 beginning at 4:45 pm in the Ohio City neighborhood at Market Square Park across from the Westside Market at 1979 W. 25th Street and Lorain Avenue near downtown Cleveland.

Last year's keynote speakers for the rally were Whaley and state Rep. Emilia Sykes, who is a former minority leader in the Ohio House of Representatives out of Akron who is running for Congress this year in Ohio's 13th congressional district. Ohio 11th Congressional District  Congresswoman Shontel Brown,  , then a candidate for the seat in a crowded primary that includes former Ohio senator Nina Turner, was also among the speakers last year.

Head organizer Kathy Wray Coleman, who leads the Imperial Women Coalition and is also head organizer of Women's March Cleveland a larger venue with an annual march each January and intermittently during the year, said that it is time for greater Cleveland women to march again and that activists welcome a cadre of talented speakers to the event on Tuesday, and a host of activists who seek public policy changes across the board for the betterment of women and their families.

"We are pleased to have two Black women, one a superior candidate for the U.S. Senate in Morgan Harper, and the other a worthy lieutenant governor candidate and county elected official in Cheryl Stephens, as well as longtime activist fighter Cheryl Lessin as our keynote speakers in Cleveland on March 8 for International Women's Day March Cleveland as we fight for the reproductive and Civil and other rights for women internationally," said Coleman." Also at issue is violence against women and racism, sexism, the denial of reproductive and and voting rights, and the unnecessary war on women in Ukraine and other places in the world like Ethiopia."

Coleman, who has been head organizer of the International Women's Day rallies and marches in Cleveland since the first rally and march in Cleveland in 2017, added that Cheryl Stephens is from Cleveland Heights and is home grown.

Other event speakers include Black Women's PAC President Elaine Gohlstin, Cuyahoga County executive candidate Tariq Shabazz, activists Dorothy Walwyn of Father's Live Matter, Delores Gray of Brickhouse Wellness Center, and Laura Cowan of the Laura Cowan Foundation, and a representative from the greater Cleveland immigrant support community. Activist Michael Nelson will perform a song for the women.

The women said that they will also address a pending bill in the Republican-dominated Ohio state legislature that is designed to chill free speech and arbitrarily criminalize protesters in Ohio for peacefully speaking out on issues of public concern. And event organizers say that they remain concerned as to anti-abortion bills and laws nationally, and in Ohio in particular that wreak havoc on women and violate the tenants of Roe v Wade. the 1973 landmark U.S., Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal nationwide.

Pictured is Cleveland Mayor-elect Justin Bibb

(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com) the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com

Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb on Friday announced proposed legislation to authorize the removal of long-term temporary concrete barriers from Public Square in downtown Cleveland and replace them with modern and less intrusive removable bollards.

The proposed project provides up to $1.5 million in funding from the capital budget for removal, repair and redesign work.

Installed some five years ago when Bibb's predecessor, former Mayor Frank Jackson, was in officer, the barriers  lie along the side of the road for separation purposes. including along Superior Avenue near Public Square. The new mayor says he is simply attempting to complete unfinished business left by the previous administration in an effort to better the city.

“Public Square should be the people’s park but for too long, jersey barriers have got in the way. Today, my administration is taking the first step towards removing these barriers and restoring Public Square to its original intent – to serve as a meeting place in the heart of our city,” Mayor Bibb said in a statement.

While the mayor can propose legislation he cannot vote on it as only city council members, 17 of them in fact, have a vote.

The proposed legislation authorizes the removal of the jersey barriers and replacement with bollards that will ensure safety, enhance the City’s ability to open and close the square for public events and authorize the Group Plan Commission to enter into a contract to start the design and construction of the improvements.

“I applaud the mayor for taking quick and decisive action to remove the jersey barriers from Public Square. These unnecessary and intrusive barriers have go,” Ward 3 Councilman Kerry McCormack said.

The preliminary estimated cost of the project to replace the concrete barriers and repair the Superior crossing is approximately $3.0 million. In addition to funds previously set aside by the City, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will be considering an investment.  The Group Plan Commission will have an opportunity to evaluate cost effectiveness and pursue additional funding through private and philanthropic investments.

The Group Plan Commission held the original contract for the design, construction and reconstruction of Public Square in 2015 and will be authorized to commence a redesign, upon.It is the project team responsible for delivering the project on behalf of the City and consists of the original architects, engineers, contractors and project managers who understand the complexities of constructing permanent barriers, with knowledge of the significant underground existing infrastructure. Removal requires surgical precision to ensure utilities below the surface are not damaged.

”Group Plan Commission applauds Mayor Justin Bibb’s expedient introduction of legislation to improve the safety, security and aesthetics in Public Square by removing the jersey barriers in Superior Avenue and planters at the corner entryways into Public Square with an attractive, removable bollard system,” said Group Plan Commission Chairperson Tony Coyne. “

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog with some 5 million views on Google Plus alone.Tel: (216) 659-0473 and Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, and who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Biden delivered his first State of the Union address tonight where he touched on a multitude of issues the US is facing on both the domestic and foreign fronts, while also reaffirming to Americans that the country and its people are "strong."

Here are some key moments from his remarks: CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT CNN.COM

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog with some 5 million views on Google Plus alone.Tel: (216) 659-0473 and Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, and who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.