A local story published in the Sun Newspapers illustrates activism for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive rights, and myriad issues under threat by intolerant or radical government actions that conflict with fundamental American freedoms. (Commentary by CC Democrats)
Many reasons to march
By LIZ HARDAWAY STAFF WRITER
Originally published January 19, 2020
PUNTA GORDA — It’s Aug. 18, 1920, and the 19th amendment is ratified to grant women the right to vote.
A hundred years later, women and men gathered nationwide Saturday to march for equality, reproductive rights and other issues.
This is the fourth year the march has happened in the U.S., and the first year a march has been hosted in Charlotte County. The march was hosted by the Charlotte Democratic Party, Indivisible SW Florida and Englewood Indivisible, and All Rainbow and Allied Youth, or ARAY.
Over 200 men, women and LGBTQ+ members marched from Laishley Park to the northbound U.S. 41 bridge between Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.
Email: liz.hardaway@yoursun.com
Roughly 200 people marched from Laishley Park to U.S. 41 in Punta Gorda Saturday for Charlotte County’s first Women’s March.
SUN PHOTOS BY LIZ HARDAWAY
Jane Merriam, a member of the Charlotte County Democratic Party, leads chants at the Women’s March Saturday.