Women's Day march set for March 3

Violence against women and children as well as the rights of workers to organize will be the focus of the annual San Antonio International Women's Day March and Rally on March 3.

A social-justice awareness event now in its 22nd year, the march will begin at 10 a.m. that Saturday and weave its way through downtown San Antonio from the Grand Hyatt hotel to Milam Park, said Patricia Castillo, executive director of the PEACE Initiative, one of several sponsoring organizations.

This year's theme is “Women Leading the Rebirth; Mujeres al Frente del Renacimiento!” she said, emphasizing the rise of a new generation of San Antonio activists, many in their 20s, who've done much of the work around this event.

“It's a tremendous sign of hope and energy,” she said Wednesday.

International Women's Day is marked around the world. In some nations, it's a national holiday.

In San Antonio, the march and rally long have focused on issues such as health care, environmental justice and education. Marchers have spoken out for the rights of women and minorities as well as immigrants and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

As in years past, Castillo said the march will focus on raising awareness about domestic and family violence and violence against women and children in countries such as Mexico.

Castillo said the march will begin at the Grand Hyatt to protest what she characterized as its efforts to crush unionizing there. A San Antonio group called Unite Here has been trying to organize the hotel's workers, she said.

The march will end at Milam Park, known also as La Plaza del Zacate, a site that bears significance to the group. A historical marker to legendary labor activist Emma Tenayuca in the park was dedicated in December.

The Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, Martinez Street Women's Center, YWCA and Southwest Workers Union are involved in organizing this year's events.

For more information, call 210-533-2729.

eayala@express-news.net