More Than 3,000 Marchers Expected For Women's March In Asbury Park

ASBURY PARK, NJ — While hundreds of thousands of people march in Saturday's Women's March in Washington on Saturday, at least 3,000 people are expected to gather closer to home for a similar march.

The Women's March in Asbury Park had nearly 3,000 registered marchers as of 10 a.m. Friday, according to a post on the Facebook page operated by the march's organizers.

"We will proudly join the international community to march in support of unification and equality while helping to solidify the message that women's rights are human rights," the organizers said on the page. "This march is a sister event being held in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington."

The march has been organized in less than a week by a quartet of local women: Daniele Fiori, Amanda Kane, Dallas Hlatky, and Jennifer Lampert. This is a peaceful event created simply to spread the message that women's rights are human rights, the women said in a news release.

"Like so many people, I had been feeling so many emotions since the election: insulted, frustrated, uneasy, defeated, inspired, fired up," Fiori said. "After watching the Obamas' exit speeches I texted Amanda, Dallas and Jen and asked, 'What if we get a group together and march in Asbury Park?'"

"Being a mother with young children, I wanted to do something and I wanted to be able to bring my kids," Kane said. "I feel that it is important for them to be a part of the larger conversation."

"Like in DC, we will have women and men joining us from all walks of life, all races, all genders, all ages," Fiori said.

Guest speakers include Rev. Gil Caldwell, Rep. Frank Pallone, and the keynote address will be delivered by Patricia Teffenhart, director of the NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

"We are marching to exercise our constitutional rihts and ensure that the voiced of all women are heard," Hlatky said.

Marchers are being asked to register so organizers can give an accurate headcount to Asbury Park officials as well as to those marching in Washington, D.C.

Registration is free and can be done via the EventBrite registration site. Registrants and supporters are being asked to donate $3 to $5 to cover the cost of security for the event and have set up a GoFundme campaign (click here) for that purpose.

Marchers are asked to gather at the corner of Lake Avenue and Emory beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

"We will begin with an inspirational Welcome Ceremony at noon and will commence marching by 12:30 p.m.," the organizers said on Facebook. "Follow us up Lake Avenue to the Boardwalk (entering the boardwalk at Asbury and Ocean Avenues). At the center of the boardwalk we will pause for a Moment of Gratitude then march on toward Convention Hall where we will make a left and march into Bradley Park.

Marchers will congregate in Bradley Park at approximately 1:30 p.m., and the march will close with speeches, a blessing and with live music.

If you're planning to participate, the organizers are urging people to use the hashtag #womensmarchAP. Details are being added at the Women's March Asbury Park Facebook page. They also have an Instagram account: @womensmarchAP.

There are important security measures that must be followed, the organizers said:

• No backpacks
• No weapons or anything that could be used as a weapon. (For those bringing flags or banners, the poles cannot have sharp, pointy ends)
• Please do not leave anything unattended.
• If you see something say something. There will be plenty of police officers and volunteers on the route.
• If you carry it in (paper, posters, flags, water bottles, anything) please be sure to carry it out.

Logo via Women's March Asbury Park Facebook page