Details about the Women’s March San Luis Obispo – Read all the way through and share!
Date and Time
Jan. 21, 10 am Mitchell Park, San Luis Obispo
Arrive early. Over 5,000 people expected.
Safety:
We expect over 5,000 people. Do NOT create a crowd surge. Be safe, be kind, be patient.
Dr. MLK Jr. Day Message
In 2017, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day takes on special significance. While we don’t know exactly what the future holds, we do know that over 5,000 of us plan to start this new era peacefully and inclusively at the Women’s March San Luis Obispo.
In 1963, during highly turbulent times before the passage of the Voting Rights Act, Dr. King said, “In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” (https://www.archives.gov/files/press/exhibits/dream-speech.pdf)
With this we urge you to read the six Kingian Principles of Nonviolence (here), and use them to guide your participation in the Women’s March San Luis Obispo.
Details
Schedule
- 9:00 Call to Action Alley Open
- 9:55 Call to Order
- 10:00 Rally
- 10:45 March peacefully and safely (do not surge!)
- 12:00 Return to Mitchell Park for Music, Food, Call to Action Alley
Route: Just under 1 mile
- Mitchell Park, West on Osos, South on Higuera, East on Broad, North on Marsh, East on Osos, End at Mitchell Park
- March in the street, not on the sidewalk.
- The San Luis Obispo Police Department Traffic Safety Unit will be providing a rolling street closure in order to maintain safety for all participants.
Parking and Transportation
We encourage you to ride your bike, carpool, and use Uber. Over 5,000 people expected!
- Uber discount code coming soon on our Facebook and Website.
- San Luis Obispo Downtown Parking: click here
- San Luis Obispo High School and San Luis Obispo Adult School Free Parking, 9-2pm: click here
- Ridevu – Carpooling Site (use at your own risk): click here
- City of San Luis Obispo Transit: click here
- San Luis Obispo Regional Transit (Bus): click here
- San Luis Obispo Regional Transit (Bus) from Paso Robles Rt. 9: click here
- Amtrak: click here
- Bike Valet, free of charge at Mitchell Park
San Luis Obispo Police Department
- The SLOPD is partnering with the Women’s March San Luis Obispo to make this a safe and successful march. Please work in partnership with them.
What to Wear/Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Refillable water bottle with water in it
- Pro-peace, pro-inclusion attire/signs expressing what you are marching for
- Rain jacket or poncho, no umbrellas (keep apprised of the weather)
- A positive and empowered attitude, this isn’t about one man it’s about all of us!
Merchandise
- A limited number of trucker hats, t-shirts, and water bottles will be sold at the march for cash only.
- Merchandise ordered at this time will more than likely NOT arrive in time for the march, even with express delivery. If you would still like to order WMSLO gear to show your support for this cause, click here
Rally Lineup: Speakers, Poet, Music, Sign Language
*Sign Language Interpretation will be provided throughout the rally.
- Central Coast West African Rhythm and Dance – Call to Order
- Organizers – Welcome and Safe March Instructions
- Dian Sousa – Former SLO Poet Laureate
- Courtney Haile – R.A.C.E Matters SLO
- Rubia Siddiqi – Cal Poly Muslim Student Association President
- Inga Swearingen and Melody Klemin – Jazz Vocalists
- Keynote: Erica Flores Baltodano Esq. Civil Rights Activist, Employment Attorney
- Deanna Cantrell – SLO Police Chief
- Voices Three – Acapella Singers
Starting the March
- Do not create a crowd surge that could endanger you or others.
- Wait for the Police and Banner Holders to start the march.
- Be patient. We have over 5,000 people are likely to join.
Food
Three food trucks are scheduled for Mitchell Park.
- Cubanissmo – click here
- Javed Kabab Paradise – click here
- SLO Mama Sweets, Frozen Treats – click here
Call to Action Alley
- Take action here and now!
- Click here to see who’s coming.
After the March 12:00-2:00
- Central Coast West African Rhythm and Dance – click here
- Samba Loca – click here
- Inga Swearingen – click here
- Melody Klemin – click here
- Voices Three
- Amalia and Rio Fleming
- Call to Action Alley – click here
- Food Trucks – click here
- Selfie Area
How to Prepare for the March
- Read the six Kingian Principles of Nonviolence (click here) and the Agreements below
- Expect to stand and walk for a couple of hours. Limited seating is provided only at Mitchell Park and is reserved for people with disabilities and age-related needs that affect the ability to stand/walk.
- Expect to wait while marchers line up.
- Be patient and considerate of those around you.
- Make sure you feel comfortable in crowd. Over 5,000 people are likely to join.
- Understand that we are partnering with City Services and the San Luis Obispo Police Department to make this a safe and successful event.
- Understand this is a march not a protest.
Agreements
- In addition to the waiver you agreed to when you registered, participants who join the march agree to the following guidelines. If you are unable to follow these guidelines please choose a different event to attend.
- We will make a safe space for all kinds of people.
- We will use no violence (physical or verbal) towards any person.
- We will not destroy or damage property.
- We will promote a tone of respect, honesty, transparency, and accountability in our actions.
- We will not carry anything that can be construed as a weapon, nor possess (or consume) any alcohol or drugs.
- We are non-partisan, and will use the Women’s March to express our support for women’s rights and human rights in our communities, our country, and world-wide, rather than to criticize politicians or political parties.
- We will hold each other accountable to respecting these agreements.
Important Links to More Information
- Important Update (1 of 4): click here
- Important Update (2 of 4): click here
- Donate: click here
- Sign Ideas: click here
- Website: www.womensmarchslo.com
- Call to Action Alley: click here
- Bike SLO County: click here
How do I register for the march? I will be with my daughter and her friend.
Hi Alice – we are so excited to hear that! You can register here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-march-san-luis-obispo-registration-30208514480. It’s a free event and you don’t need a ticket, but it helps us to keep the headcount and prepare accordingly, plus we can communicate with you if needed (if you sing up, expect one more email with details about the day of the march.)
77 yo man, OK?
We look forward to having you march with us!
I’ve heard several people say no signs on sticks, no backpacks and no umbrellas, but in your info I only found confirmation for umbrellas. What’s allowed?
Hi Heidi – our local march isn’t quite as strict as the ones in big cities. We allow backpacks and signs on sticks. We advise NOT to bring an umbrella and instead bring a raincoat or a poncho because we want to avoid unintentional injuries. Thank you!
What time do you anticipate the end of the rally at Mitchell Park? I need to catch a bus.
Hi Meredith –
We estimate that the rally in Mitchell Park will run from 10am until about 10:45am. The march will follow right after. The duration of the march depends on how many people join tomorrow.
Thank you!
We are here from Colorado and we have signed up to walk. We have a 12 1/2 yo friendly dog. We haven’t seen anything indicating no dogs. Is it okay to bring our peaceful four legged friend to walk with us?
Hi Pam – dogs are allowed on a leash. Please keep in mind it is going to be extremely crowded and loud. We are expecting over 7,000 people at this time. Thank you!
Just says there’s a bus from the high school close over to the park and insecure. It doesn’t say how often it’s going to run when you can, please let me know asap!!
Hi Joanna – here is the info:
SHUTTLE SERVICES (starting at 8:45am):
The parking lots are within walking distance for most. They are located 0.6 mile from Mitchell Park, which is approximately a 12-min walk (see the “walking directions” map.)
From SLO High School and SLO Adult School to Marsh and Back:
Pick up – SLO High School, SLO Adult School
Drop off – 1100 Marsh (between Santa Rosa and Toro) – walk 2 blocks southeast to Mitchell Park
(This will be a shuttle with 19 passengers capacity.)
From Palm Street Parking Garage to Marsh and Back:
Pick up – in front of SLO Library on Palm Street
Drop off – 1100 Marsh (between Santa Rosa and Toro) – walk 2 blocks southeast to Mitchell Park
(This will be a yellow school bus. Please – be careful and watch out for traffic when leaving the bus.)