Juneau’s Choose Respect march starts on the steps of the Capitol Building Thursday at noon.
Revenue Commissioner Angela Rodell leads the march. Other speakers include Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Director Lauree Morton, Sen. Peter Micciche and Rep. Benjamin Nageak.
“People should come out for the march to provide courage for past victims to be able to step out and speak out about this and to also bring light to the issues and that we band together as Alaskans,” says event coordinator Jessy Post.
From the Capitol Building, the march continues on Main Street and ends in Marine Park. Last year, more than 200 people participated in Juneau’s march.
Gov. Sean Parnell started the Choose Respect campaign in 2009 to help end domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska. Parnell and First Lady Sandy Parnell will lead Valdez’s Choose Respect march on Thursday.
Marches are taking place in about 160 communities across the state.