Women’s rights rally planned for Saturday in Sycamore

SYCAMORE – At the same time as the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., a local organization is holding its own version in Sycamore on Saturday.

The DeKalb County Women’s Rights Rally will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. outside the DeKalb County Courthouse, 133 W State St. It’s one of dozens of public rallies planned across the country this weekend that will call for the promotion and preservation of women’s rights.

Safe Passage, a local organization dedicated to promoting everyone’s right to abuse-free relationships, organized the Sycamore-based event.

Beth Ganion, the prevention and communications manager for Safe Passage, said the goal of the rights rally is to remind the county of the need to support women and their voices.

“Many people here, including myself don’t have the funds or the availability to travel all the way to Washington D.C. to march for women’s rights, so we were trying to create a space where it could be local in DeKalb County,” Ganion said.

The DeKalb County Women’s Rights Rally will start with a speech from Ganion, but the public gathering won’t be allowed onto the DeKalb County Courthouse lawn or steps. Ganion said they’re confined to the sidewalks.

“We do have permission, its public property to be on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse, but we cannot be on the lawn or the front stairs, that is private property,” Ganion said.

The rally will be held as DeKalb County has learned of the slayings of area women in recent years.

“I think it’s really important for our county to come together and show that we do not accept this in our society and that we are here to support women who experience violence,” Ganion said.

Saturday morning’s rally is meant to be peaceful and spread kindness; however, Safe Passage has also coordinated with the Sycamore Police Department to ensure extra patrols from officers near the court house during the rally, Ganion said

“We do like to say that police may be present just because we don’t know everyone’s experiences,” Ganion said.

The rally will be held two days before President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but Ganion said the goal of the rally is not to demote or promote any particular politician or political party.

Still, the rally’s promoters and supporters pay attention to which politicians heed their pleas to protect women.

“Having equal rights and treating women as equals is one of those ways we can help protect women from violence,” Ganion said.