By: Jong Hak Won 

College of the Canyons students sponsored a Women’s March at its Valencia campus to raise awareness for issues involving sexual assault and domestic violence as well as the roles women play in society.

“I feel these are the most prominent issues on college campuses at the moment,” said Katherine Martinez, vice president of activities at the Valencia campus for the Associated Student Government at College of the Canyons, which organized the event.

The march was capped with a resource fair and free food at the Honor Grove. The resource fair had several organizations present related to the issues the march was raising.

“We’re going to have six or seven organizations ranging from Planned Parenthood to the Santa Clarita Domestic Violence Center to Bridge to Home,” said Martinez,

“We’re going to also have a mingle session for students to get a chance to talk with these organizations.”

The march also touched on issues of immigration and concerns for in order to raise awareness on multiple issues.

“I see firsthand here that many people have come to our office and asked about immigration policies,” said Martinez, “and how they’re fearful and what the school can actually do about it.”         

The event began with the march at the student center followed up by an open dialogue at the amphitheater.

At the open dialogue, students had the opportunity to listen to a wide range of speakers from sociology professors Katie Coleman and Robert Wonser to personal stories by students Caryn de la Cruz and Ezi Okoro.

“This is a solidarity march,” said Martinez. “Our purpose was to bring awareness and educate and present resources to students and community members.”