"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences." — Audre Lorde

It’s estimated that a total of 1 million women and activists will gather this weekend at The Women’s March on Washington and at a variety of local marches across the country, and even internationally, in cities including Sydney, Zurich and Mexico City. Each event will represent solidarity among citizens who support equal rights for women, immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, native and indigenous people, black and brown people, people with disabilities, the economically impoverished and survivors of sexual assault.

In the spirit of democracy, these grassroots efforts aim to call attention to, and support the creation of vibrant, peaceful and diverse communities in which there is justice and equity for all.

And if you doubt the power in efforts like these, you need only to look back to 1913 when the Women’s Suffrage Parade attracted an estimated 8,000 participants. They marched down Pennsylvania Avenue the day before President Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration, calling attention to the women’s suffrage movement. Most historians agree that the march proved to be a key driver for the passage of women’s right to vote.

If you can't make it to The Women’s March on Washington, here's a list of events taking place here in Wisconsin.

Friday, Jan. 20

Inaugural Balls - A Celebration of Protest Songs
8 p.m., $10 donation requested
Linneman's Riverwest Inn, 1001 E. Locust St.

Join the Riverwest Aces along with a slew of other acts in a evening of protest songs to commemorate the change of Presidential administrations. Funds raised will go to support Arts@Large and Serve2Unite.

Occupy the Inauguration
2 p.m.
Library Mall, 700 block of State Street, UW-Madison

This demonstration, which will include a program featuring a variety of speakers, will culminate in a march to the State Capitol. The demonstration is sponsored by the Madison Socialist Alternative. For more details, email madison@socialistalternative.org or visit Resist Trump: Occupy Inauguration. 

100 Days of Resistance 
5 to 9 p.m.
Red Arrow Park, 920 N Water St.

The Milwaukee Coalition Against Trump (MCAT) will host a mass march and rally on the evening of inauguration day. The protest will officially kick off the "100 Days of Resistance," a movement coinciding with Trump’s first 100 days in office. For more information, follow Milwaukee Coalition Against Trump.

Candlelight Vigil
7 p.m.
Intersection of Lake and State Streets, Madison
Plans include a march and a program. Organizers ask people to bring flashlights for the vigil, called to denounce "despicable acts of bigotry, hatred, prejudice and xenophobia."

National General Strike
Nationwide

The logic of the general strike is simple. On Jan. 20, citizens are urged to refuse to comply with whatever orders the economic establishment has dictated. Citizens are encourages to walk out of homes, workplaces and schools and join fellow citizens in the streets and online in a peaceful display of resistance and solidarity. Citizens will not shop or otherwise participate in or contribute to the capitalist economy over which Trump presides.

Women Strike
Nationwide
womenstrike.org

National Women’s Liberation is calling on women all over the country to strike from all work, paid and unpaid, January 20-21. The strike is an act of protest against President-elect Trump, Pence and the Republican Congress' plans in favor of an end to racist and sexual assaults and bigotry and support for reproductive freedom, national health care, a $15 minimum wage, protection and expansion of Social Security, childcare and paid family leave and R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

As a first step, visit womenstrike.org and make a pledge to strike from any number of oppressive social constructs including: paid jobs, emotional labor, childcare, diapers, houseowork, cooking, sweeping, laundry, dishes, errands, groceries, fake smiles, flirting, makeup and shaving. Add your name and write a few sentences about where you are striking and why.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Riverwest Femme Solidarity March
10 a.m. to noon
Riverwest Public House, 815 E. Locust St.

The March will begin at Riverwest Public House and will end around noon at Company Brewing, where Riverwest Femfest 2017 activities, including a variety of free workshops on fighting for social justice, will take place.

White Fragility: Stories, Dialogue, Workshop
9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Frank Ziedler Center for Public Discussion, 631 N. 19th St.

Join Ex Fabula for a discussion of  the topic of white fragility in facilitated listening circles. The event will begin with stories told by Ex Fabula fellows before breaking into facilitated listening circles. The circles will be followed by a mini-workshop led by SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) which will focus on practical skills to address white fragility. This event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required. Click for more information.

Women’s March on Madison
Noon to 3 p.m.
Library Mall, 728 State St., Madison

This march is open to all who care about the issues facing our country. This is one of many "Sister Marches" taking place in solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington. Click for more information.

Post-March Warrior Oasis
3 to 5:30 p.m.
Lucille, 101 King St., Madison (on Capitol Square)

Enjoy hot drinks, a full bar, food and art during this post-march event hosted by Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin in partnership with the ACLU of Wisconsin, Emerge Wisconsin, YWCA Madison and 9to5 Wisconsin. Art and music will be provided by DJ Bizzon, BlackPaint Studios, Video Villains and Mikey C. Apollo. Resources will also be provided for continuing the fight for equality.

Other marches across Wisconsin, Jan. 21

Gwaaba'amaw Women's March in Bayfield
10 a.m.
Pionirski Park, 415 Washington Ave., Bayfield

Million Person Unity March - Sheboygan County
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fountain Park, Sheboygan
Veterans Park, Plymouth

Sister March in Eau Claire
3 p.m.
Phoenix Park, Downtown Eau Claire

Women’s March Menomonie
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Broadway Street, Menomonie