Mother's Day March in support of women's rights, autonomy, health, and wellness

Join the Utah Alliance Coalition at its Mother's Day March in support of women's rights, autonomy, health, and wellness.

Location: Utah State Capitol Grounds (pdf)

Address: 350 North State Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84114 (map)

Date: Sunday, May 8th

Time: 2PM-4PM (come when you can, leave when you want!)

Weather

Welcome: Individuals, couples, and families—people of all ages!

Event: A simple, pleasant walk with friends in a beautiful location in support of women—an issue that we'd like to make as uncontroversial as apple pie and a walk in the park.

The Vibe: This is a community walk, not a protest or a rally—there have been and will be more protests and rallys with robust energy, don't worry! This is a show of solidarity for women that can be attended by people of all ages and of all comfort-levels with political/issues engagement. Not everyone feels comfortable or at home at a protest or rally but we all feel comfortable hanging out with friends—let's create a welcoming event for people who may be just starting out :)

EVENT SAFETY

Do not engage: The topic of women's bodily autonomy and abortion (in particular) is polarizing. We will be walking in support of basic (i.e. essential) healthcare for women on Sunday but we may attreact the attention of people who believe that their belief system should be forced upon society. Anyone who shows up to our event to protest our walk and our support of women's health care needs will not be persuaded to our point of view by an argument but they may be inspired to raise their voices or lash out in anger. For your own safety, their safety, and the safety of everyone else at the event, please refrain from engaging with any protestors.

Utah Highway Patrol: The Utah State Capitol has a Utah Highway Patrol office in the southeast corner of the building. Part of the permitting process for Free Speech Events involves disclosing the purpose of the event and talking with the Capitol Preservation Office about police protection. We have gone through the proper procedures, our event is on the Capitol calendar, and we will have police monitoring our event.

Sponsors: Utah Alliance Coalition (us!), Women's Democratic Club of Utah, Planned Parenthood Association of Utah

        Friendly reminder: Abortion is essential health care, family planning, a woman’s choice, and a constitutional right.

Wear colors to represent the abortion/miscarriage experiences you or someone you love has had:

 

        Spontaneous Abortion  (aka Miscarriage) -  Magenta

        Induced Abortion -  Pink

        Theraputic Abortion -  Red

        Threatened Abortion -  Orange

        Inevitable Abortion -  Yellow

        Recurrent Abortion -  Green

        Septic Abortion -  Blue

        Stillbirth  Abortion -  Purple

 

        Friend of Bodily Autonomy  -  White

STARTING POINT

There is no starting point to our walk—park where you can and join in. Walk as long as you like. Take a picnic break!

Utah Alliance Coalition, Women's Democratic Club of Utah, and Planned Parenthood Association of Utah will have tables on the south lawn of the Capitol with reproductive health information provided by Planned Parenthood.

Midterm elections have “never” been more important (hint: they have always been this important) not only for top-ticket candidates but for down-ballot races, too. Our educational system is under attack; if we allow our schools to become governed by right-wing extremists, our future—and our children’s future—will be bleak. Please sign up to receive information from Utah Alliance Coalition, Women's Democratic Club of Utah, and Planned Parenthood so you can be prepared to make informed down-ballot choices this fall.

Our friends at Women's Democratic Club of Utah will be there with information on voter registration and how to become an engaged, informed citizen. Planned Parenthood of Utah's CEO will also be in attendance.

Weather

• At the moment this information is being compiled, the high on Sunday is supposed to be 58° with a 24% chance of showers and 15mph winds.
• This information will not be updated on this page, but current conditions can be checked HERE.

ADA Information:

• If you have specific questions about walkway or building accessibility, please call the Capitol Tours and Visitor Services office at 801-538-1800.
• Capitol staff have always been very friendly and helpful—if you have concerns, they will be knowledgeable and able to give you accurate and up-to-date information.
• The path around the capitol is steep, at times, but always "flat" and ADA accessible.
• If you have mobility needs, please plan accordingly; we want everyone to be safe!
• The ADA access route to the building is clearly marked with signage leading from the public parking area on the east side of the building

Building Access for water and bathroom breaks:

• The capitol is open from 7AM until 6PM on weekends and holidays to the public
• The ADA access route to the building is clearly marked with signage leading from the public parking area on the east side of the building

Rest & Shade

• The walkway that encombases the capitol grounds is lined by trees that provide shade—lucky for us, the leaves are coming out.
• If you need to rest, do this early. Do it often!
• This is neither a race nor an endurance event—we're just out strolling with friends in support of an important cause.

Water & Snacks

• Neither food nor water will be provided for this event
• Please plan for the day and bring your own reusable water bottle/s and snacks. 
• Take snack breaks whenever you want—unless you are bringing the kids; in that case, you'll be taking breaks whenever they want!
• Clean up after yourselves: we would like to leave the grounds at least as clean as we found them.
• LEAVE NO TRACE
• Reminder: The capitol building will be open until 6PM for people in need of water or a bathroom break. ADA accessible bathrooms are on the east side of the building.

POLICIES

• Bring (and Clean up) Your Own Water & Snacks

       See above section on Water & Snacks

• No Signs, Chanting, or Protest Vibes

       See above section on The Vibe

• Do Not Engage with Opposition

       See above section on The Vibe. Also: just please don't. We don't want any risk of escalation.