As with any event, there are a lot of potential questions! Please read through this FAQ before emailing the organizers. To help you navigate, the FAQ is broken down into five sections:
- General March info
- Transportation
- Fundraising
- Getting involved
- Local events
As a disclaimer, Oregon Organizers for the Women's March on Washington (WMW) are volunteers and are not being compensated in any manner for their time and dedication to this event. This event is a grassroots movement that is fluid and has many moving parts. Information is shared and disseminated as quickly as possible by the Oregon Organizers. Nothing in the information provided is intended to create a contractual relationship and Organizers are merely acting as facilitators to aid in the success of the event. Any person participating in the WMW does so at their own risk and at their own expense. No warranty of any kind, express or implied are made by Oregon Organizers nor are Organizers liable for any monetary loss, personal injury, cancellation of event, or misinformation. Participants release Oregon Organizers from any and all legal liability and acknowledge that participation is at their own risk.
What is this event?
- The Women’s March on Washington is a voluntary gathering on the National Mall in Washington D.C., consisting of a public rally and a march. It is scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 2017; the rally will begin at 10:00am Eastern and the march will begin at 1:00pm Eastern. The location for this event is on 3rd Street SW in Washington DC, directly in front of the United States Capitol Building.
What is the purpose of this event?
- Please see the following statement from the national organizing team:
“WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON- JANUARY 21st, 2017 OFFICIAL STATEMENT, National Organizers
On January 21, 2017 we will unite in Washington, DC for the Women’s March on Washington. We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families -- recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.
The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us--women, immigrants of all statuses, those with diverse religious faiths particularly Muslim, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native and Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, the economically impoverished and survivors of sexual assault. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.
In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.
We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all. HEAR OUR VOICE.”
Who should participate in this event? Is it open to everyone?
- This event seeks to be inclusive and representative of America’s diverse communities and thus actively welcomes to participate anyone and everyone who believes in and supports the rights and humanity of women and girls. This includes self-identified women and girls, persons of color, immigrants, members of the LGBTQIA community, people with disabilities, and self-identified men and boys.
How are inclusion and diversity central to the ethics of this event?
- At the national level, a diverse team of co-chairs has been tasked with ensuring that the voices of self-identified women and communities of color are at the center of this event. This team released the following statement regarding the March’s origin and inclusion: https://www.facebook.com/events/1421931004507822/permalink/1433376436696612/
- The Oregon team has also sought diverse representation and is committed to making this event one of inclusion and, for white allies, an opportunity for learning, both at the march itself and beyond. To advance the latter, the Oregon team will be sharing tools, resources, and local event opportunities where participants can learn more about what it means to be an ally and how they can practice allyship at the march and in their daily lives.
How do I RSVP for this event?
Do I need tickets for this event? Is it free?
- No, you do not need tickets and, yes, it is free! Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous folks out there who have set up accounts that say you need to purchase tickets for the march. These are fake! Again, this is a free event and tickets are not required so please do not give your money or information to these fake set-ups.
- While tickets are not required, we are asking people to go to the national website at www.womensmarch.com and click “Take Action,” then “Join Us,” and register to participate. This will help us to get an accurate headcount of participants! This process is free.
Who is planning/organizing this event?
- Per the national planning team: “The Women’s March on Washington is a grassroots effort comprised of dozens of independent coordinators at the state level. The effort is helmed by four national co-chairs and a national coordinating committee who are working around the clock to pull it all together.”
- The four national co-chairs are Bob Bland, Tamika D. Mallory, Carmen Perez, and Linda Sarsour. Bios for these individuals can be found in the following document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_lsTTIlJff6anpUaUdoYWUwVU0/view.
- At the state level, there are currently seven volunteer co-hosts helping to coordinate and share information for Oregonians’ participation in the D.C. march. These volunteer co-hosts are Erin Barnhart, Meg Busse, Kathy Fong Stephens, Abby Frye, Bethany Grace Howe, Melanie Smith, and Constance Van Flandern. Bios for these team members can be found on the Contact page of this site.
Have permits been secured for this event?
- Per the national planning team (12/9/16): "The Women’s March on Washington, which is scheduled for the day after the Jan. 20 inauguration, plans to start its rally at Independence Avenue and Third Street SW, right in front of the U.S. Capitol. From there, demonstrators will march west along Independence Avenue, though organizers say they have yet to determine an official route.” The permit for the rally portion of the event is still in process.
Where should we meet? Can Oregonians march together? Will we have hats, signs, etc.?
- Oregon participants who would like to walk in the march together are invited to meet at the ice rink Pavilion Cafe in the Sculpture Garden (next to the National Museum of Art); a map to this area can be found on the Facebook event page and will be sent out on Twitter (@womensmarchOR) the day of the event. Please arrive by 9:30am on the day of the march to walk over with the group!
- Late arrivers who would like to join the group should look for individuals in the larger crowd holding signs that say “Oregon” on them; volunteer co-hosts will also update the Facebook and Twitter pages with location updates throughout the morning.
- There is also a good chance that hats, signs, and/or other swag with an Oregon design on them will be made available; marchers may purchase, carry, and/or wear these if they so choose. Again, more details on hats and signs will be shared here once available!
Will this event be safe? Should I bring my children?
- Per the national planning team: “The Women’s March on Washington (WMW) has a team of experienced and professional national organizers working to ensure that every safety protocol is followed. We will release specific details on how to stay safe during your time in Washington as we draw closer to the date. The decision to bring your children is a personal one.”
- Please note that the Oregon volunteer co-hosts are not liable for the safety and well-being of event participants (please be sure to read the disclaimer at the start of this document). All individuals are advised to use good judgement and appropriate caution when traveling to and within Washington D.C., including before, during, and after the Women’s March.
Will this event be accessible for people with disabilities?
- Per the national planning team: “The WMW is committed to ensuring that the national convening is accessible to people with disabilities. We are working with volunteers to ensure translation for people with hearing disabilities and are committed to including access points for people with disabilities that require the use of a wheelchair. There will be an area with seating to accommodate people with disabilities, elderly people and pregnant women.”
- In addition, a disability caucus is convening online and at the event. This group can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/353098905052038/.
Who is making travel arrangements for Oregonians to attend the march in DC?
- Participants are liable and responsible for making their own travel and lodging arrangements to and within Washington D.C. Participants may share where they have chosen to book travel and lodging on the Facebook event page but these posts are not the equivalent of endorsements by the organizers. There is no *official* mode of transportation, travel company, or lodging location endorsed by the organizers. All participants are advised to do their own research into travel options and choose wisely. The volunteer organizers of this event are not liable for participant transportation, lodging, or other travel, nor the safety of participants during their travels to, within, or from Washington D.C.; please read the disclaimer at the start of this document for more information.
What type of financial support is available for individuals interested in attending?
- The Oregon volunteer co-hosts are currently exploring options for safe and legal fundraising. As soon as information is available, we will post it to the Fundraising section of this site as well as the Facebook event page and this Frequently Asked Questions document.
I would like to donate funds/air miles/etc. to help another marcher participate. How can I do this?
- The Oregon volunteer co-hosts are currently exploring options for safe and legal fundraising. As soon as information is available, we will post it to the Fundraising section of this site as well as the Facebook event page and this Frequently Asked Questions document.
I would like to help! How can I participate as a volunteer?
- Thank you so much for your interest in volunteering! We are still determining volunteer roles and tasks but would love to hear from folks who are interested in participating in this effort. To join our crew of potential volunteers, please email oregon@womensmarch.com with the following information:
- Name
- Email address
- Skills and talents that you’d like to contribute
- Potential tasks or responsibilities you might like to participate in
I can’t make it to Washington D.C. but I’d like to participate. What can I do?
- If you live near and/or are able to travel to Portland on Saturday, January 21, there will be a local march taking place at 12pm Pacific; here is the link for more information:
- There is also a local march taking place at 12pm Pacific on Saturday, January 21 in Eugene; here is the link.