Thousands of women to march, participate in pre-election demonstrations

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Thousands of women nationwide were expected to participate in a series pre-election demonstrations Saturday, Oct. 17, including one at San Diego's Balboa Park, focusing on women's reproductive issues, getting out the vote and protesting the Trump Administration's efforts to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

A number of virtual events, voter registration drives, phone banking efforts and text messaging campaigns are also planned.

``There are over 400 being planned around the country and Pasadena is one of them,'' organizer Jenna Karvunidis, who is co-hosting a march outside Pasadena City Hall, told the Pasadena Now website. ``This march particularly has to do with not confirming the new Supreme Court justice until after the election.''

``It was Ginsburg's dying wish to not be replaced until after the election, and I think that we should honor that.''

Women's Marches have been held regularly since Jan. 21, 2017, the day after President Donald Trump was sworn into office, in one of the largest

public demonstrations in U.S. history.

Today's gatherings are the second under the Women's March banner this year. The earlier marches were held Jan. 18 to commemorate the 2017 event, and renew support for women's rights.

``Women are going to decide this election,'' Rachel O'Leary Carmona, executive director of the Women's March, told the Washington Post. ``We are fired up. We are ready to take action. This is a preview of what you're going to see on November 3rd.''

San Diego's ``I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar'' San Diego Women's March is set for 11 a.m. at Balboa Park, President's Way Parking Lot, 1549 El Prado.

More information and a complete list of events is available at https://womensmarch.com.