A quick take on Philly’s inauguration events this weekend

It’s safe to assume the election has coerced some of our more partisan opinions out of the woodwork — at the dinner table, splashed across our Facebook timelines, and mocking us on Twitter feeds. But this weekend will bring those political sentiments into the Philadelphia area with some of its own inaugural events.

For the past few weeks, the most talked-about inaugural event in the area has been Saturday’s Women’s March on Philadelphia. It’s one of 150 similar marches across the world and an off-shoot of the Women’s March on Washington.

It’s set to start at Logan Square at 10 a.m. and take a straight shot into Eakins Oval by noon, where a rally will be held until 3 p.m. with speakers such as Mayor Kenney, former democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 6th District Lindy Li, and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania Dayle Sternberg.

As of Thursday afternoon, 17,000 Facebook fans had signed on to attend and 24,000 said they were “interested.” There will also be six sister marches in municipalities throughout New Jersey on Saturday. Newark, Delaware, is also hosting a sister march, starting at 9 a.m.

These are just some of many — not just in the U.S. — that are organizing to “peacefully express our grievances,” according to the event’s website. It’s yet to be seen what the nature of the march will be, but the event description took a few hits at the president-elect.

“To define the role of a woman or girl in today’s society requires far more than a mere 140-character limit,” the event website reads.

In the same vein, there are some protests across the city on both Friday and Saturday. On Friday, student walk-outs start at Temple University at 1 p.m. and the Community College of Philadelphia at 2 p.m. A rally at Thomas Paine Plaza starts at 3 p.m. and a protest at the Liberty Bell on Friday will go from 4 to 6 p.m.

Also starting on Friday is the “Signs of Solidarity” project that will display 30 banners from local artists on public buildings and homes with messages of inclusivity and acceptance.

Sentiments are split across the state, however, both in favor of and in opposition to Trump after Pennsylvania went red for the first time since 1988. In Murrysville, Pennsylvania, the Franklin Regional Panther Marching Band is headed to Washington for the inaugural parade and Pittsburgh-native singer Jackie Evancho will sing the national anthem.

Chickie’s & Pete’s in South Philly is holding an “inaugural party,” at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, according to a Facebook event page. CBS’ 1210 WPHT is hosting the event and broadcasting live from 3 to 6 p.m., similar to events the talk-radio station held during the presidential debates.

The events begin tonight, however, with the arrival of Run for ALL Women. A group of four runners are running 240 miles from New Jersey, into Philly, Delaware, Maryland and finally into D.C. to raise money in support of Planned Parenthood. More than 100 women have been joining these runners since they began on Monday.

The National Constitution Center at 6th and Arch streets is holding activities all day on Friday—tours of its facilities, electoral quiz games and a screening of the ceremony. This may be the most unbiased venue of the weekend, along with a “Civic Engagement Fair” at the Free Library’s location on Vine Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library will have a watching party and leaders of local organizations present to allow for some civic engagement with attendees. 

Other events on Friday include a watch party on Rutgers University’s Camden campus from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. with table discussions from students and faculty.