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What you need to know for the Knoxville Women's March

Organizers said they expect as many as 20,000 people this year at Chilhowee Park.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — This year's Knoxville Women's March will come with a few changes. The Women's March Coalition of East Tennessee moved the annual event to Chilhowee Park after last year's growth.

"We had about 15,000 people in 2018 and while that's great we knew that downtown wouldn't fit the number of people who may come this year." Treasurer, Kendy Altizer said. 

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The group is now expecting around 20,000 people and the new location also means new procedures. 

The Knoxville Police Department said Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue is closed from Bentley Street to Parkview for the march.

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 "There is a security checkpoint, it is on the Chilhowee Park side near Magnolia," Altizer said. 

The group said people cannot bring umbrellas to the event this year and they should make sure to get there early to make it through security.

You will also not be permitted to possess coolers, or any type of weapon (which includes pocket knives). Officers are at the entrance enforcing these restrictions.

"We know there is a chance for rain so we ask people to please get a poncho," she said. 

Altizer also said people should make note of what entrances are accessible.

 "We're asking people to use the Knox Zoo drive entrance, or the alternative entrance is 401 Lakeside Drive," she said.

This also means a number of streets will be inaccessible during the rally. Right now Althizer said people can expect Beaman Street to be blocked off near the park.

"Where we're marching is an undisclosed route for security purposes," she said.

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