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Activists will take to streets, Capitol for Day of Resistance Saturday

Back-to-back events include march, speeches, and rallies

By Cindy Widner
People in long red robes and white bonnets bowing on lawn of Capitol building
Texas Handmaids at state Capitol during 2017 Women’s March
Via Women’s March and Rally Day Austin 2018/Facebook

Progressive activists will hold three consecutive public events, including a march from City Hall to the state Capitol, that will last most of the day Saturday. Appropriate to the date—approximately a year after the Women’s Marches that filled the nation’s streets on the day of the current U.S. president’s inauguration—there will be an emphasis on women’s rights and reproductive rights in particular.

Here is a lineup of events and approximate times from the Women’s March and Rally Facebook event page; the event is planned in partnership with March On Texas .

Saturday, Jan. 20

10am to noon

Impeachment Rally \ Impeachment March- Austin at Austin City Hall will feature singing by the The Resistance Choir of South Central Texas and a lineup of speakers calling for Donald Trump’s impeachment and rallying local activists to action.

Noon to 1 p.m.

Texas Handmaids Procession to the 45th TX Roe V Wade Rally from Austin City Hall to the Texas State Capitol via Congress Avenue. The Texas Handmaids (a group that raises awareness of reproductive justice issues and violence against women by dressing as handmaids from Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, recently adapted as a Hulu series) will robe up and lead the crowd from City Hall to the Capitol at a dirge (funeral march) pace up Congress Avenue as the Resistance Choir sings “I Can’t Keep Quiet Anymore,” arriving at the beginning of the 45th TX Roe V Wade Rally. Former state Sen. Wendy Davis will march with the group.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The 45th TX Roe V Wade Rally: An event focused on reproductive justice will take place on the South Steps and Great Walk of the state Capitol and will feature community information tables from local activism organizations, a lineup of speakers including a keynote speech from state Rep. Donna Howard, a brief statement by Melissa Fiero of last year’s Austin Women’s March, a speech by former state Sen. Wendy Davis, poetry performers, and musicians.