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The event, scheduled to be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Munn Park, is organized by Lakeland Indivisible, a progressive group formed in response to Trumps election.

LAKELAND Janice Cook of Lakeland flew to Washington, D.C., in January to join some half a million people gathered for the Womens March, held a day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Cook and other local residents hope to generate a similar spirit of progressive passion at an eventSaturday in Lakeland. Though named the Lakeland Womens March, the event is arally no actual marching will take place and organizers welcome male participants.

The event, scheduled to be heldfrom 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Munn Park, is organized by Lakeland Indivisible, a progressive group formed in response to Trumps election.

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, a Democrat from Kissimmee, is one of the scheduled speakers.

We wanted to bring the spirit of the (Washington) Womens March to Lakeland, but we also wanted to be productive while doing it, so Lakeland Indivisible got involved to help organize the event, Cook said. Well be celebrating equality and also showing our area and other progressives, Yes, were here. Were giving people a chance to see there are progressives in this county and this town.

Cook, a public health social worker, said she plans to bring her 12-year-old daughter to the rally.

Cook, 31, said the event will raise money for Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union. Planned Parenthood, a nonprofit that offers health services at clinics across the country, faces threats of federal defunding from Trump and conservatives in Congress because some clinics perform abortions.

Anna V. Eskamani, senior director for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, is one of the scheduled speakers. Victor Sims, a Winter Haven resident who unsuccessfully challenged Florida Rep. Neil Combee last year, is also on the roster.

The rally will feature family and childrens activities, including a bounce house and face painting, said Jessica Gann, another organizer with Lakeland Indivisible.

Bands will begin playing about 11 a.m., and the speakers will begin shortly after 1 p.m.

Lakeland Indivisible paid to have police officers on hand in case of any conflicts with counter-demonstrators.

The rally doesnt have a single theme or purpose, the organizers said. The event will promote the right to legal abortion and full protections for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population, among other issues, they said.

Gann, 27, said the rally will project a spirit of inclusiveness.

We want to show our community that there is a huge portion of us that want equality we want to celebrate the equality we have and fight for the equality we stand to lose, Gann said. We dont want to lose our reproductive rights. We dont want families separated due to immigration laws. We dont want our Muslim neighbors to be discriminated against because of their religion.

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU will have information booths at the rally, Cook said. Public health organizations will also have a presence.

Gann said a Facebook page devoted to the rally has drawn pledges to attend from about 600 people, with another 1,200 expressing interest in the event.

Were really excited to see what we actually have, Gann said. If it goes as wonderfully as were hoping, we would like to maybe make it an annual celebration thing for the community.

Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13.

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