In Philly, a march with a message: ‘Black women matter’

India Fenner wants the world to know that black women matter. And she’s starting with Philly.

The 19-year-old Temple University sophomore organized “A March for Black Women” from City Hall on Friday both to protest violence against black women, at the hands of authorities and others, and celebrate black womanhood.

“I’ve been to plenty of marches for black men who have been harassed or killed by police,” she said in a recent interview. “But when I went to one for Sandra Bland, it was very small.”

In 2015, Bland, a 28-year-old black woman, died while in police custody after being arrested during a traffic stop in Texas.

And Fenner skipped the big Women’s March in January. “I didn’t believe it was quite for black women. There were no chants, ‘Black Women Matter.’ ”

Friday afternoon, more than 100 people gathered outside City Hall ready to do  just that. They held signs that read “Black Women Matter,” “Fight 4 Black Women” and “Black Women Rock.”

Fenner’s shirt read: “WE OUT.~ Harriet Tubman.”

And they were.

The marchers went through the tunnels of City Hall, Fenner in the front drumming alongside her brother James. The group chanted, “Black Girls Matter!” “Black Girls Rock!”  and “Black Queens Matter!”

Kelin Spina, a high school art teacher in Phoenixville, was among several white women who came out in support. “I feel like they’re uncelebrated, and it’s important to come …

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