Competing events will take the spotlight for this week’s Consciousness Calendar, as the Women’s March Phoenix 2020 will be held in Phoenix on Sunday, Jan. 19.

Events across the country will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, but holding the event on the same date was not possible at the Arizona State Capitol this year as the space was already booked by the pro-life event, AZ For Life March and Rally 2020. Organizers of Women’s March Phoenix 2020 warn would-be attendees that there had been a Facebook page that was taking donations for the pro-life event in the name of the Women’s March.

Also in the next week, there are many events planned to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., many of which are organized by the same group that has been putting on a march for the past 34 years. But there is also the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2020 at the Rio Salado, and a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park.

THIS WEEK
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Bikes Fight Poverty Rider/Volunteer Meeting is happening at 6:30 p.m. at CCV, 15025 N. 19th Ave. in Phoenix. The meeting will provide information needed for the ride, which is on Jan. 18.  Dinner will be provided by Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill.

WorkWELL: Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace is happening at 7:30 a.m. at the University of Phoenix, conference room 101, 4025 S. Riverpoint Pkwy., Phoenix. Participating will be Nicole Stec, senior director of well-being with Banner Health, on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. A breakfast will be served before the presentation. 

Thursday, Jan. 16
A Free Food, Clothing, Shoes & Eye Glass Voucher event will be held starting at 9 a.m. at the LSM Christian Assembly, 1502 W. Northern
Marco Gonzalez, executive director of Yahad - In Unum an organization dedicated to discovering genocide around the world will speak and provide a tour of "In Broad Daylight: Holocaust by Bullets," at the Arizona Capitol Museum, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix. This event is hosted by Phoenix Holocaust Association and state Rep. Robert Meza.

The West Valley NAACP is presenting a screening of the film, You Racist, Sexist, Bigot beginning at 6 p.m. at Estrella Mountain Community College, 3000 N. Dysart Rd., Avondale. After the film, a panel discussion will feature WV-NAACP President Iisha Graves and other community leaders. Tickets are $10.

The Honorable Jorge Mendoza Yescas, consul general of Mexico in Phoenix, will speak beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Barrett Suite, UCB 201, at Barrett Honors College, Arizona State University, Tempe.

Tucson-based activist and author Brad Lancaster will present "Turn Water Scarcity into Abundance by Planting the Rain," at 7 p.m. at Changing Hands Bookstore, 300 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix. Lancaster and his brother harvest about 100,000 gallons of water annually on he and his brother's oasis-like 1/8th-acre urban lot and surrounding public right-of-way in Tucson.

Friday, Jan. 17
The Deplorables Are Coming! A "comedy" showed based upon the political leanings of the performers — unabashed Trumpers —  The Deplorables Tour is coming to the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa at 7:30 p.m. The performers are Terrence Williams, Steve “Mudflap” McGrew, Tomi Lahren, Brandon Tatum and Benny Johnson. PR for the event says, "Blending comedy and observational humor, we’re marching towards 2020 unleashing the conservative mindset, and unabashedly melting liberals while celebrating the American Dream. You’ll finally be laughing for the RIGHT reason."

Saturday, Jan. 18
A pro-life event, AZ For Life March and Rally 2020, will make its way from downtown Phoenix to the state capitol beginning at 10:30 p.m. near Cesar Chavez Memorial Plaza, 201 W. Washington St., Phoenix. The event is expected to end around 2 p.m. Keynote speaker will be Abby Johnson of UnPlanned.

Sunday, Jan. 19
Because organizers of a pro-life event booked the spaces before the organizers of the Women’s March Phoenix 2020 could get it done, the local Women’s March will be happening on Jan. 19. The national Women’s March in Washington D.C. and most other cities around the country will happen Jan. 18. This event at the Arizona State Capitol, Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix, will include a protest and a rally, with many women’s advocacy groups creating opportunities for volunteering, donations, and community leadership. Food and entertainment will also be available.

Monday, Jan. 20
There are many events planned to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., many of which are organized by the same group that has been putting on a march for the past 34 years. But there is also the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2020 at the Rio Salado, and a festival at Margaret T. Hance Park.

Tuesday, Jan. 21
The Hermeneutics of Violence by Barrett West Global Visiting Scholar Dr. Paulina Sosnowska will begin at 4:15 p.m. at Barrett Suite, UCB 201, at Barrett Honors College, Arizona State University, Tempe.

UPCOMING
Wednesday, Jan. 22
The Wisdom of Indigenous Foodways

Thursday, Jan. 23
Impeachment Panel Discussion

Friday, Jan. 24
The Real Benjamin Franklin and the spirit of capitalism

Saturday, Jan. 25
Regional Unity Walk
Wild About Our Rights! Annual Pro-Choice Arizona Fundraiser
Arizona Democratic Party State Committee Meeting
Arizona Republican Party State Committee Meeting

Monday, Jan. 27
Reporting on Youth Suicide

Tuesday, Jan. 28
Imagining Judeo-Christian America

Wednesday, Jan. 29
Free Film Screening: The River and the Wall

Thursday, Jan. 30
Surviving the Climate Crisis

Saturday, Feb. 1
Sierra Club’s Sedona Half Marathon

Feb. 1 to 22
Sustainability Solutions Festival