/R E P E A T -- Thousands of women march on the 40th anniversary of International Women's Day/
TORONTO, Feb. 28, 2018 /CNW/ - A coalition of women are organizing a rally and march on Saturday, March 3 to mark Toronto's 40th International Women's Day (IWD) event with a call for liberation and justice for Indigenous women.
"We're marching to honour the ongoing resilience and resistance of all women, celebrate the achievements made in the past as well as the ones to come," said Anna Liu one of the members of the organizing committee "But while we celebrate and recognize progress made through resistance, our march ends with an important solidarity action to address the ongoing injustice of Canada's so-called justice system."
The focus for this year's annual IWD action, now in its 40th year in Toronto, is liberation and seeks to honour women and trans women, celebrate victories, and strengthen women's resistance on Indigenous land. Women and allies will come together in solidarity to reaffirm a commitment to struggle and, uplift the narratives of Indigenous, Muslim, Black, queer, transgender, working, differently abled women and peoples whose identities intersect.
Saturday's community event is open to all and begins with an energetic indoor rally featuring several community speakers who will highlight the struggles of Indigenous and racialized women. The rally concludes with a march on the streets of downtown Toronto ending at Nathan Philips Square to join a solidarity action calling for justice for Tina Fontaine.
WHAT: International Women's Day rally, march and community action calling for justice for Tina Fontaine
WHEN: Saturday, March 3 starting at 11:00 a.m., while the march leaves at 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Indoor rally begins at OISE Auditorium at 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, with a march on the streets of downtown Toronto ending at Nathan Phillips Square to join the Justice for Tina Fontaine action
WHO: Several community speakers including Lee Maracle, Indigenous Poet, Author & Teacher, Catherine Brooks, Indigenous Elder, Farrah Khan, Gender Justice Advocate & Educator, and more.
"As women we must stand together, use our voices and political power to demand real change that pushes beyond words and for justice for Indigenous women and racialized women," said coalition member Judy Persad.
The annual IWD event is organized by a coalition of community groups, students and labour unions including CUPE, Unifor and United Steel Workers, and is sponsored by Women Working with Immigrant Women. Follow updates on Twitter at @IWDToronto.
SOURCE Toronto International Women's Day Committee
News published on and distributed by:
