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Third Annual Women's March Takes Over Downtown LA Streets

Turnout for this year is expected to be lower as the movement's founders cope with an ideological split

Men and women carrying homemade signs filled Pershing Square as they kicked off the Saturday morning Women's March through downtown Los Angeles to Grand Park.

The original march in 2017, the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration, drew hundreds of thousands of people to Washington and dozens of other cities. Turnout for this year is expected to be lower as the movement's founders cope with an ideological split.

Ellen Klugman of Marina Del Rey said she was marching for the third straight year to show continued support for the movement.

She said: "Democracy is not a spectator sport and I came out to continue to stand for that proposition. If I don't go, who will?"

Marchers are headed to Grand Park near City Hall. A series of politicians, activists, celebrities and others are scheduled to speak or perform for several hours.

Famed lawyer Gloria Allred, U.S. Rep. Katie Hill, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nury Martinez and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis are expected to speak at the event.

"We can't afford to sit on the sidelines again. We must be present and organized, we know what happens when we sit on the sidelines, we let other people choose their brand of democracy for us and we simply can't afford that," said Emiliana Guereca, director and co-founder of the Women's March Los Angeles.

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As with last year's event, organizers are stressing that the march is not a protest.

"This is a Pro Peace, Pro Inclusivity Event focused on marginalized voices and the power of voting," the event's website says. "Part of our resistance is focusing on how we will use our vote to create the future we want. We respectfully ask that 'anti' sentiments are not the focus of this event. This does not mean that we don't acknowledge the need or desire to feel anger and to protest. However, this is not the focus of this event. Thank you for your understanding."

Marches will also be held in Santa Ana and Riverside County, along with others around California and the country. More information on the march can be found at https://womensmarchla.org/.

The Women's March won't be the only large event being held in downtown Los Angeles. Thousands are expected to join Archbishop Jose Gomez for OneLife LA, an annual anti-abortion event.

OneLife LA starts at noon at La Placita/Olvera Street before heading to Los Angeles State Historic Park. More information on the event can be found at https://onelifela.org/event-details/.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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