Last year, an estimated 2,500 people gathered in downtown Naples to fight for women's rights.
This year, just as many or more are expected to do the same in support of the #MeToo movement, and to push more voters to the polls.
Naples is hosting on Saturday a one-year anniversary Women's March, which coincides with the national event held in Las Vegas. Dozens of marches are expected to happen globally this weekend.
A year ago, thousands of women and men flocked to Washington, D.C., for the national march on the first full day of President Donald Trump's tenure. That crowd included hundreds from Collier and Lee counties.
The goal of this year's D.C. march is to get more women registered to vote and elect more women to public office.
Saturday's march in Naples — one of 14 events being held in Florida — is aiming to do the same.
"Our goal is to honor the work women have done all (last) year, focus on getting more people to the polls and registering to vote, and create unity,” said one of the event organizers, KC Schulberg, a founder of the Collier Freedom rights organization, which hosts the local march and rally.
The march kicks off at 5:30 p.m., but participants are advised to arrive by 4 p.m. to sign in and get in marching position at Third Street S. and Broad Avenue S.
From there, the march will move south on Third Street to Fifth Avenue S. and head right on Eighth Street S. ending at Cambier Park.
Participants who have experienced sexual violence and/or harassment will hold signs that read #MeToo during the march.
The popular hashtag caught on soon after sexual misconduct allegations came to light against film producer Harvey Weinstein in 2017. Since then, #MeToo has become the phrase to raise awareness and call for an end to sexual violence.
Those individuals will be honored during a rally that starts at 6 p.m. in Cambier Park.
The park festivities include words from local leaders like Naples Mayor Bill Barnett, live entertainment, vendors and food trucks.
Schulberg said participants are encouraged to wear black with red accents. The color red calls for action, he said, and the black signals resolve.
About 1,000 people are registered for the twilight event.
Schulberg said everyone is welcome to attend.
“Last year, we had a lot of men come. While most of our speakers are women, we love families, and we love men,” Schulberg said.
Women Together for Freedom
When: 4 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20
Where: 5:30 p.m, march starts at Third Street S. and Broad Avenue S. 6 p.m., Cambier Park
Info: www.facebook.com/collier.freedom.movement/