VERMONT

Vermont Women's March: What you need to know

Nicole Higgins DeSmet
Burlington Free Press
Demonstrators parade down State Street towards the Statehouse during the Women's March on Montpelier and Unity Rally on Saturday, January 21, 2017.

Intrepid protesters plan to rally Saturday in Montpelier for the third annual Woman's March, despite the forecast for single-digit temperatures. 

Organizers hope to add momentum to the #WomensWave in the run-up to the 2020 election which has already seen three Democratic woman declare their candidacy for president.

The historic 2017 Women's March, following President Trump's inauguration, turned out record numbers in Vermont and D.C. Montpelier police estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people showed up for the event, tying up traffic on Interstate 89 north and south for hours.

More:Montpelier women's march draws 15,000

Over a dozen speakers have signed on to this year's platform of action within equity and diversity.

Organizers made an effort to flip convention by having a majority of people of color and other minority groups from the community as speakers, according to Kristen Vrancken, who serves on the committee.

The idea was to bring forward "diverse voices against oppression," Vrancken said.

When, where and how to get there

The rally from 10 a.m. to noon on the Statehouse lawn will focus on issues of racial and social justice in Vermont.

The address, to plug into your phone or GPS, for the Montpelier State Capital is: 115 State St, Montpelier, VT, 05633.

A crowd of several thousand listens to speeches during Women's March on Montpelier and Unity Rally at the Statehouse on Saturday, January 21, 2017.

With years of protests under their belts, organizers offer some tips:

  • Plan to get there early, by 9:30 a.m.
  • Carpool with other attendees.
  • Take a free bus from Burlington or Rutland. Seats on the buses must be reserved online in advance. Arrive early, the buses are on a tight schedule.
  • Parking: Please park at the Department of Labor, Department of Motor Vehicles or any other state offices, or any Montpelier city-owned buildings.  Overflow parking is available at the National Life Complex at 1 National Life Drive.
  • There is priority parking for people with disabilities behind the DMV. A volunteer will be stationed to guide folks into the parking lot.

Dress for the weather

Expect a high temperature of 9 degrees and 30 percent chances of snow on Saturday morning and afternoon, according to the National Weather Service forecast on Thursday. A winter storm watch was issued for Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. through Sunday night.

More:Vermont, a wave of snow is heading to you this weekend! Here's what you need to know.

Some outdoor heaters will be set up, but the rally will continue through rain, snow and icy conditions.

Organizers recommended wearing layered clothing and comfortable shoes.

What to Bring:

  • Water.
  • Posters made of paper, poster board, or cardboard-like materials.
  • Pets are welcome, but consider your animal's safety.
  • Kids are welcome, but again, consider the weather.

Speakers and performers:

The list includes:

  • Freweyni Adugnia, a Windsor County environmental activist, who works with SunCommon.
  • Brenda Churchill, LGBTQIA Alliance of Vermont liaison to the Statehouse.
  • Amanda Garces, VT Coalition for Ethnic and Social Equity in Schools.
  • Lupita Gomez, Migrant Justice/Justicia Migrante.
  • Rev. Joan Javier-Duval of the Unitarian Church of Montpelier: Invocation.
  • Sarah Launderville, executive director VT Center for Independent Living.
  • Beverly Little Thunder, an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Lakota Band from North Dakota. She has been both a Sundancer and Inipi Ceremony Water Pourer for over 40 years.
  • Kiah Morris,  activist and former state representative.
  • Tabitha Pohl-Moore, president, Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP; member, Vermont State Police Fair and Impartial Policing Committee; member, Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council Fair and Impartial Policing Training Committee; and coalition member, Vermont Coalition for Ethnic and Social Equity Standards.
  • MacKenzie Murdoch, Women’s March Vermont youth leader.
  • Dayle Sargeant, Head Start teacher.
  • Krista Scruggs, winemaker and farmer.
  • Dr. Mariko Silver, president of Bennington College.
  • Melody Walker Brook, Elnu Abenaki Tribe.
  • Caroline Whiddon, executive director Me2/Orchestra.

Updates will be available via social media

For updates on the Vermont rally check @womensmarchvt on Twitter or Instagram.

Organizers have all the logistics for the event and more at: womensmarchvermont.com.

Contact Nicole Higgins DeSmet, ndesmet@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1845. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleHDeSmet.