Women's March Oakland 2020
About the March.
What is Women's March Oakland 2020?
Women’s March Oakland 2020 has a single goal: getting all of us counted in 2020. At this nonpartisan, peaceful event, we will mobilize to raise awareness, volunteer hours and funding to get a complete Census count in Alameda County and make our voices heard at the polls.
In addition to a march through the streets of downtown Oakland, this year’s event will feature our biggest Community Action Fair ever, with entertainment, food, art and a wide range of organizations offering opportunities to make a difference in Alameda County.
The 2020 march is co-hosted by Women's March Oakland, Black Women Organized for Political Action, IGNITE and Women's Foundation of California. It is sponsored by the East Bay Community Foundation and these other supporters and partners.
Making the march a safe space for all kinds of people is critical to its success. We expect everyone taking part in Women's March Oakland to respect the following agreements:
We will not use violence (physical or verbal) towards any person.
We will not destroy or damage property.
We will promote a tone of respect, honesty, transparency and accountability in our actions.
We will not carry anything that can be construed as a weapon, nor possess (or consume) any alcohol or drugs.
We are nonpartisan, and will mobilize primarily to achieve transformative social change in Oakland and the East Bay for ourselves and our communities.
We will all hold each other accountable to respecting these agreements.
Do I need to register? Do I need a ticket to attend?
To give us a more accurate attendance estimate so we can have the proper services available, please register on our Eventbrite page. Tickets are free of charge. You do not need to bring your printed Eventbrite ticket with you to the march.
By attending, you acknowledge that you are physically fit for this outdoor march and assume full responsibility for the risks of participating.
When and where will the march be held?
The event will begin at 10 AM on Saturday, January 18, 2020. Here is the schedule for the day:
10:00 AM – Coffee, interactive art and music by DJ Mai Girl at Frank Ogawa Plaza
10:45 AM – Tatsumaki Taiko at Frank Ogawa Plaza
11:00 AM – March beginning and ending at Frank Ogawa Plaza, with a kickoff by Rebecca Kaplan
12:00 PM – Rally and Community Action Fair at Frank Ogawa Plaza, including the following speakers/performers:
12:00 PM – Barbara Lee
12:10 PM – Osunfemi Wanbi Njeri
12:40 PM – Aimee Allison
12:50 PM – Abril Fonseca, Kira Galbraith, Lexie Tesch, Daijah Conerly
1:00 PM – Be Steadwell
1:30 PM – Tammeil Gilkerson
1:40 PM – Emma's Revolution
2:10 PM – Alvina Wong
2:20 PM – Esperanza Fonseca
2:30 PM – Mya Whitaker
2:40 PM – Deyci Carrillo Lopez
4:00 PM – Event end
March route: The march will start at the intersection of 14th and Broadway, and proceed up Broadway to Grand Ave. At Grand, the route will turn left and proceed to Telegraph. At Telegraph, the route will turn left, ending at Frank Ogawa Plaza.
Accessibility information for the route: The route is 1.3 miles. The route is predominantly flat. There are bad curb cuts at the following intersections:
19th & Broadway, east side
Grand & Telegraph, northeast corner
20th & Telegraph, southwest corner (temporary sidewalk repair)
18th & Telegraph, southeast corner (very steep)
In general the east side of Telegraph and west side of Broadway have old-fashioned curb cuts that can be steep. (Note: the march will be on the street; curb cut information is provided for people who may need to enter or exit mid-route.)
How do I get to the march?
We strongly recommend public transportation. BART is available from the East Bay, San Francisco and the Peninsula. We suggest that you purchase a roundtrip fare and give yourself extra time to get to the march.
The 12th Street Oakland / Civic Center station is near the start and end of the march at Frank Ogawa Plaza. The 19th Street Oakland station is 0.2 miles from Frank Ogawa Plaza. For more information, visit BART's website.
Is the march accessible?
Yes! Marchers can enter or leave the march route at any time; the path will not be blocked off completely. There will be a medical station about halfway along the route for people to rest and get help. There will be help (volunteers / medical professionals) along the way if people fall too far behind and need assistance.
Suggested accessible viewing locations are located at:
West Grand Avenue and Telegraph Avenue on the northeast corner in front of the parking lot
Telegraph Avenue & 20th Street / Thomas L Berkley Way on the northeast corner in front of the parking lot
There is built-in seating at Frank Ogawa Plaza and an additional entrance to the rally for wheelchairs. ASL interpreters will be present during the rally.
Will there be bathrooms?
Yes, there will be portable restrooms (including accessible restrooms) at Frank Ogawa Plaza and midway along the route.
What should I wear? Where can I get Women’s March Oakland gear?
Dress in layers and comfortable shoes. Check the weather and dress appropriately.
You can buy Women’s March Oakland gear online. Order early to ensure you will receive your items in time for the march!
What should I bring?
Bring water, snacks and sunscreen. Out of consideration for other people at the march, please consider bringing a poncho instead of an umbrella. Strollers are welcome, although we do recommend smaller ones if possible.
Can I bring banners, signs or flags?
Posters and signs are allowed, but not with wooden, plastic or metal sign posts. Instead, we encourage people to use cardboard sign posts (or rolled up poster paper). Flags are allowed, but not on poles.
What items are not allowed at the march and rally?
Backpacks (please bring clear bags instead)
Weapons of any kind or anything that can be construed as a weapon (pocket knives, multi-tools, mace, scissors, etc.)
Alcohol or drugs (your fellow marchers may have substance sensitivities, so please avoid smoking or wearing strong fragrances so that everyone can participate)
Dogs or pets (service animals only, please)
Bikes (please park your bike before the march begins)
Other marching day tips
Stay hydrated and never pass up an opportunity to use a toilet!
Don't rely on your cell phone. We cannot promise cell service for calls or texting on the day of the march. Please be sure to make a meet-up plan with your friends, family and group ahead of time in case you get separated at the march or rally. Use a sharpie to write important information on your forearm (especially helpful on children). Don't offer personal information to anyone.
See something? Say something to a peace ambassador or volunteer.
I want my organization to be involved. How can we join the mobilization?
You can sign up for the #OaklandCounts campaign, get a booth at the Community Action Fair, bring a contingent, post about the march on social media with the hashtag #OaklandCounts, and distribute our 2020 march flyer. We also have sponsorship options available. Learn more about how to get involved. If you have any questions, please email communityoutreach@womensmarchoakland.org.
Why are you raising money? What are you spending it on?
To make the 2020 march a reality, we need your support. Here is our projected cost breakdown for the event:
Accessibility (26%)
Day-of expenses (22%)
Permit and insurance (18%)
Portable toilets (13%)
Communications and AV (13%)
Medical (5%)
Safety (3%)
Contributions will benefit the ongoing programs and operations of Women's March Oakland, a nonprofit project of Social Good Fund.
I can’t attend. How can I support the march?
Thank you for your support—we’ll miss you in Oakland! You can support us by making a contribution, posting about the march on social media with the hashtag #OaklandCounts, and telling your friends and family about the march. You can also download our 2020 march flyer to post / hand out in your community. Learn about additional ways to support the march.
Media inquiries
For all media inquiries, please contact LaNiece Jones at (510) 816-0453 or pr@womensmarchoakland.org.