Activist women and supporters on the Central Coast are planning a general strike and march on Wednesday, part of a greater ‘Day Without a Woman'. Coinciding with International Women’s Day, March 8, the planned one-day action is happening across the country.
Organizers of the January 21 Women’s March in San Luis Obispo founded a women’s and human rights organization called Women’s March San Luis Obispo. That group, along with Kindness Matters SLO, are planning on once again marching through downtown San Luis Obispo in addition to the general strike.
Co-organizer Dawn Addis says the group is planning on holding a shorter “moment of silence” for those who can’t take the time off of work, and are encouraging those who cannot fully participate to wear red. Organizers of events across the country are doing the same.
“I wouldn’t want anybody to feel judged for not taking the day off of work. We know that striking is a huge action and a very personal action that can have both personal and economic consequences,” Addis said.
People around the country, and the world, will also be taking part in the one-day strike, Addis said. A North Carolina school district has canceled classes next Wednesday to allow for absences, and Forbes Magazine published an article Friday about what to tell your boss for those intending to be absent from work.
A quick internet search turns up events planned in Canada, Australia and England. The New York Times reported that last week in China, a Chinese feminist group’s social media account was shut down by the government after posting information about the March 8 event.
In Monterey County, events are planned on the Cal State Monterey campus. And in Santa Barbara, a rally is planned to start at 11:30 a.m. in De La Guerre Plaza.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated the Women's March San Luis Obipso's general strike specifically included a school strike, which is not accurate, according to organizers. The story has since been corrected.
