Activists and community members are set to gather at Plaza Park in downtown Ventura this Saturday, January 17, 2026, for the 10th annual Ventura County Women’s March. Organized by the local non profit Justice For All Ventura County, the event marks a decade of advocacy that began the day after the first inauguration of President Donald Trump in 2017. This year's milestone event, themed Courage is Contagious, comes nearly one year into the president's second term.
Rally and March Schedule
The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with an informational fair featuring booths from dozens of local social justice organizations, including Planned Parenthood and Indivisible Ventura. Participants can also visit a mobile library station or contribute to a mutual aid food drive for Poder Popular, an organization that supports families in Ventura County. Following the initial gathering, a formal rally is set to begin around 10 30 a.m., featuring speeches from local leaders such as Ventura County Supervisor Vianey Lopez.
At approximately 11 a.m., the crowd will begin a peaceful march through the streets of downtown Ventura. Organizers encourage attendees to bring signs and wear attire from past marches to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the movement. A photo station will be available at the park for participants to document their involvement for a future public exhibit on local civil resistance.
A Focus on Democracy and Civic Engagement
President of Justice For All Ventura County, Shane Meserve, stated that the goal of this year's march is to re engage a community that may be experiencing political fatigue following the recent election cycles. The organization aims to show elected officials that residents remain committed to protecting constitutional rights and the rule of law. By gathering in large numbers, organizers hope to foster a sense of unity and provide practical ways for citizens to get involved in local issues throughout 2026.
Following the march, the event will transition back to Plaza Park for skill building workshops and networking opportunities. These sessions, led by groups like Swap Meet Justice, will focus on topics such as knowing your rights and effective communication with elected representatives. The march is open to all community members and is designed to be a family friendly environment focused on hope and active participation in democracy.