In Connecticut, ‘day of action’ replaces Women’s March

Meredith Gaffney of Bridgeport, back center, holds a sign reading "Support your Sisters not just your Cis-ters" during the conclusion of the CT Women's March press conference Saturday at the state Capitol in Hartford. The Connecticut Women's March decided to hold three press conferences this year, rather than a march, at the state's three major cities: Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. Each press conference focused on different issues, with the Hartford site focusing on environmental rights, disability rights and workers' rights. — Kassi Jackson / Hartford Courant
Meredith Gaffney of Bridgeport, back center, holds a sign reading “Support your Sisters not just your Cis-ters” during the conclusion of the CT Women’s March press conference Saturday at the state Capitol in Hartford. The Connecticut Women’s March decided to hold three press conferences this year, rather than a march, at the state’s three major cities: Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford. Each press conference focused on different issues, with the Hartford site focusing on environmental rights, disability rights and workers’ rights.

PUBLISHED: January 18, 2020 at 7:58 p.m. | UPDATED: January 19, 2020 at 12:58 a.m.

HARTFORD — Connecticut organizers decided that rather than staging a Women’s March like in past years, they would host “day of action” events in the state’s major cities Saturday.

Women’s March Connecticut organizers held press conferences in front of Bridgeport Superior Court, New Haven Superior Court and the Hartford Capitol Building to highlight key issues such as abortion, gun violence, immigration, gay rights and the environment.

The events were meant to help get people more engaged and involved in the issues than a one-day march sometimes can.

“The previous marches have been powerful visibility events, and the Women’s March CT has worked hard to amplify the voices of those most marginalized in the state of Connecticut for the last three years and now it’s time for action,” the organization said in a statement.

Marches did take place Saturday in Washington, D.C., New York and other cities around the nation.

Local organizers encouraged those looking for a rally to attend those events, which also included gatherings in the Boston-area and Springfield.

The marches have been held in Connecticut since 2017, when about 10,000 people gathered at the state Capitol in Hartford. Last year’s Women’s March in Hartford drew nearly 3,000 people.