LI Women's Rally Organized Before Donald Trump's Inauguration

NORTH FORK, NY — Vowing that their voices will be heard, a Southold Women's Rally has been organized and will take place in Mitchell Place in Greenport.

The event, to be held on January 11 at 1 p.m., takes place in advance of the second inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States on Monday, January 20.

"Several women became upset that their friends were turning off the news and giving up on their own participation in democracy. It felt different in 2016 when women took to the streets along with sympathetic men," organizers said. "They decided to hold a Women’s Rally at the North Fork’s 'public square' in Greenport’s Mitchell Park. The Women’s March will join with and expand the People’s March on January 18 in DC, Port Jefferson, and Foley Square in NYC. Their rally would be a warm-up to those."

Speakers at the rally will give short talks on the many issues of concern that they believe need government action, including education, health care, immigration and its benefit to the economy, bodily autonomy, housing and participatory democracy, organizers said.

"We invite you to stand up for what we believe in and for each other," organizer Carolyn Peabody said. "Join us to sing, to share inspiration and concerns. Make your voice be heard and grounded in community strength against the tide of misinformation, disrespect for women and undemocratic chaos that wells up to defeat us."

Randy Wade added, "Remember that we are many, we are determined, we show up — and we won’t give up."

Some of the speakers include: Tijuana Fulford of the Butterfly Effect Project; Kaitlyn Pawlukojc of Planned Parenthood; Gwynn Schroeder, community advocate; Carolyn Peabody, chair of the North Fork Unity Action Committee; Second Hands performing; Pastor Natalie R. Wimberly, Clinton Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church; and Patte McManus of Unitarian Universalists of Southold.