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In the wake of the 2017 presidential inauguration, the Women’s March was born, and became a massive movement that saw some 50,000 people take to Philly’s streets—and 2.9 million marchers across the country—in the first year alone.
Since then, groups in various U.S. cities, including Philly, have decided to hold the march every year to protest, “gun violence, racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia,” according to the Women’s March on Philadelphia Facebook page.
“We shall be heard in the workplace where we expect equal pay for equal work and say #timesup to sexual harassment and assault. We shall be heard by the politicians who represent us on women’s reproductive rights including safe and legal abortion, low cost healthcare for all, free college tuition, lgbtq rights and anti-discrimination policies, a pathway to citizenship and immigration reform, protection for the right and the ability for all citizens to vote and climate change policy,” the site writes.
On a basic level, for the average Philadelphian (whether you plan to attend the march or not) this means road closures, parking restrictions, and more.
We have a basic rundown for anyone traveling in the city, attending the march, coming as a viewer, or even someone who just wants to know where to park.
When will the march take place?
The march kicks off at 10 a.m. this Saturday on the 1700 block of the Parkway. It will come to a head with speakers and more at the art museum at 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
What’s the route for the march?
It starts at 17th and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, moving up the parkway, to end at the art museum around 11 a.m.
Which streets will be closed?
In a word, many.
These streets are closed beginning at 5 a.m. on Saturday, until 5 p.m. the same day:
- Arch Street between 15th Street and 16th Street
- 16th Street between JFK Blvd. and Cherry Street
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 16th Street and 17th Street
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 22nd Street and Eakins Oval (all lanes)
- 23rd Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- Spring Garden Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- Kelly Drive (outbound) from Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Fairmount Avenue
- Kelly Drive (inbound) between 25th Street and Fairmount Avenue (local access maintained to Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive)
- Martin Luther King Drive between Eakins Oval and Montgomery Drive
- Spring Garden Street Bridge at 31st Street (Local access maintained to Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive)
Cross traffic on the Parkway will be allowed (depending on the size of the march) on 17th—22nd streets.
All of the museums along the parkway will be open, but the city encourages people to check the websites of the various museums on the day of the march to see their hours of operation.
Parking restrictions?
Again, many. Here’s what the city is planning: On the day of the march from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. these streets will be closed to parking.
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to Eakins Oval (all lanes, both sides)
- 20th Street from Race Street to Benjamin Franklin Parkway (east side of the street)
- 22nd Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Winter Street (both sides of the street)
- 2100-2200 Spring Garden Street (north side of the street)
- 1400-1500 JFK Blvd. (both sides of the street)
- Arch Street between 15th Street and 16th Street (both sides of the street)
- 16th Street between JFK Blvd. and Cherry Street (both sides of the street)
- 15th Street between Arch Street and JFK Blvd. (both sides of the street)
What’s the best way to get to the Women’s March?
The smartest way to get there is to travel to the City Hall stop and walk over. The Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line both run to City Hall, as well as all the Regional Rail Lines. Get off there and walk two blocks northwest, across Love Park, toward the art museum, to meet the marchers.
If you’re eager to just watch the march, your best bet is to walk farther up the parkway before 10 a.m.
Anyone looking to take a bus in the area should be aware, bus routes 2, 7, 27, 32, 38, 43 and 48 will be detoured away from the parkway beginning at 5 a.m. Saturday and lasting until 5 p.m.
- Women’s March on Philadelphia [Facebook]
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