Hundreds Of St. Croix Women Will Join Millions More Around The World In ‘Power To The Polls’ March

ST. CROIX — Hundreds of St. Croix women on Saturday will gather in Christiansted for another rally similar to the event held a year ago, joining millions of women around the world for what has become an annual solidarity affair.

“A few days short of one year ago, 600 hundred Crucians rallied together along with millions of women and our allies worldwide to support each other, to make a difference,” said Kay Christiansen, a member of the St. Croix Political Action Network (SPAN), which organized this year’s St. Croix Women’s March.

“Our voices rang loud and clear,” said Carol Burke, a founding member of SPAN and former VI senator. “To reaffirm the core American values of freedom and democracy for all, specifically women’s rights, immigrant rights, worker rights, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, environmental rights, rights for all races and religious freedom.”

Last year, over six million people in nearly 700 cities on every continent, according to the release, demonstrating the largest one-day protest in American history. During the last year in St. Croix and around the world, women have been speaking out, taking on tough issues including the #metoo movement and the popular “pussy hats”, the release added.

Significantly, the release went on, a record number of Independent and Democratic women in St. Croix and across the US are running for public office. Hence this year’s global theme: Power To The Polls. In addition to demonstrating for fundamental rights, people are being encouraged to register to vote and/or to run for office.

The march will be an inclusive affair, according to the organizers. Everyone who values democratic ideals is invited. Participants are asked to bring support signs, hats, water, sunblock and chairs (if desired).

The march begins at 10:00 a.m. at Sunday Market/Time Square, followed by a program at 11:000 a.m. at the Bandstand at Fort Christianvaern. The event will also include first-time candidates Nemmy Jackson and Alicia Barnes (the release did not state what race the aforementioned women are candidates of). Ghadeer Taha, a local Muslim woman along with several dignitaries will participate in this year’s event as well, according to the release.