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The Women's March on Philadelphia is this week. Here's what you need to know

The organizers of next week's Women's March on Philadelphia are expecting a big turnout after a powerful year that sparked the #MeToo movement.

Julie Nahil (left) and Diana Hunt cheer at the first Women’s March on Philadelphia on Jan. 21, 2017.
Julie Nahil (left) and Diana Hunt cheer at the first Women’s March on Philadelphia on Jan. 21, 2017.Read moreMARGO REED / For the Inquirer

The organizers of this week's Women's March on Philadelphia are expecting a big turnout after a powerful year that sparked the #MeToo movement and left many saying, "Time's up."

The second annual event, which comes a year after the historic women's marches that followed President Trump's inauguration, will take place Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. until about 3 p.m. It will include speakers like new Philadelphia Controller Rebecca Rhynhart and Amber Hikes, director of Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs.

The theme of this year's event is "We Resist. We Persist. We Rise." Organizers say the march from Logan Square to Eakins Oval has the potential to draw an even larger crowd than the inaugural event, with tens of thousands of people indicating interest on the event's Facebook page. Last year's march brought out about 50,000 people in Philadelphia.

"I think that women have had enough, and I think that we are definitely rising and taking our seat at the table," said Salima Suswell, one of the event's organizers.

Suswell said the recent #MeToo movement, with a hashtag that quickly spread on social media following reports of Harvey Weinstein's toxic past to raise awareness of widespread sexual abuse and harassment, has only helped fuel the cause.

Amy Martin, another of the event's organizers, said the march's goal is to empower others.

"For me, [last year's] march was really important because we were in a state of shock and frustration," Martin said. "It's really important to get out from behind our computers and phones and stand with each other and feel that sense of camaraderie."

This year's event in Philadelphia coincides with many like it nationwide, including in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, the site of last year's anchor to sister marches across the country.

While the Women's March on Philadelphia is not directly affiliated with the national organization, it comes a day before the national anniversary march in Las Vegas, where the theme is "#PowerToThePolls."

"With events like these and with everyone on the team coming from a different background, we are all coming together for one purpose," Martin said.

Details on the March

What: The Women's March on Philadelphia

When: Saturday, Jan. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: The march will kick off at Logan Square and proceed to Eakins Oval.

Registration: While the event is free to attend, Martin urges attendees to register for tickets ahead of time.