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Group organizes second Cleveland Women's March on anniversary of Trump's inauguration

Posted at 6:36 PM, Jan 02, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-02 18:36:44-05

It's been almost a year since millions of woman marched around the world in solidarity. The Women's March took place the day after President Trump's inauguration and addressed concerns like healthcare reform, women's rights and immigration.

Now a group right in Northeast Ohio is planning to do it all over again.

Last year, around 15,000 concerned voices marched down Cleveland streets with their messages in hand and their emotions on their sleeves. After a contentious election with a new president in office, women all across the world came together in solidarity.

"It was a beautiful amazing [thing]. I laughed, I cried, the whole nine" said Women's March Northeast Ohio Chapter Co-chair Sunny Matthews.

It started with the flagship march in Washington D.C. Then more than 400 sister marches were also organized. Many of the rallies aimed at the new administration.

"Women needed a chance to say 'no, no this is not our America... This is our America" Matthews said.

Matthews recalls how impactful the Washington trip was to her, which is why she wants to keep the momentum going.

"I don't think we will be able to recreate what that was. The goal is to now move to action," Matthews said.

Matthews and her co-chair, Ginger Bakos, have formed the Women's March Northeast Ohio chapter. On the one year anniversary of the President's inauguration, they plan to march in Public Square once again.

"America has a lot of work to do. Racism, sexism, classism is not going to change overnight. We need to stay visible, we need to stay involved in this," Matthews said.

The march will take place at Public Square on Saturday, Jan. 20. It begins at 11 a.m., with speakers from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. and later that evening there will be a "power to the polls" voter registration party.