March for Equality in Fort Myers draws gubernatorial candidates, other speakers

Kate Cimini, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read

Hundreds are expected to gather Saturday for Women's March Fort Myers, kicking off at 10 a.m. at the Alliance for the Arts.

"We are calling this event the March for Equality," Women's March Fort Myers Vice President and Treasurer Debbie Canyock said in an email to The News-Press / Naples Daily News. "This means equality for all people. The current Florida legislators and governor have taken steps to limit the rights of women and other groups."

Canyock added that the march will also celebrate women running for office. The majority of speakers are women candidates or women who already hold office in Florida.

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Nikki Fried, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, speaks at a press conference at Keepsake Plants in Alva on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. She held a roundtable discussion with area producers to discuss water quality and FDACS Best Management Practices.
Nikki Fried, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, speaks at a press conference at Keepsake Plants in Alva on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. She held a roundtable discussion with area producers to discuss water quality and FDACS Best Management Practices.

They include Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried, state senator Annette Taddeo who is also running for governor, congressional candidate Cindy Banyai, Fort Myers mayoral candidate Jacquelyn McMiller and others.

Fort Myers' Ryleigh Plank of The Voice will sing at the event, which will feature more music, food trucks and informational booths.

The event, which is being held during Women's History Month, runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The march begins and ends at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Attendees will march north about half a mile, then turn around and return to the Alliance for the Arts.

Sponsors include the League of Women Voters of Lee County, Dr. Cindy Banyai for Congress, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, Cella Molnar & Associates, Pine Island ROAR (Rise Up, Organize, Agitate, Resist), AFL-CIO of Southwest Florida, Lee County National Organization for Women and Lee OFA Indivisible. Sponsorships range from $50 to $500.

Around 600 attended the event last year, up from about 400 in 2019. People in masks lined the streets, holding signs and chanting "My body, my choice."

This year participants are asked to wear a mask and social distance. To register, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/march-for-equality-tickets-191896707217.

Kate Cimini is an investigative journalist covering Florida. Share your story at (239) 207-9369 or email kcimini@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Women's March Fort Myers features Nikki Fried, Annette Taddeo, speakers