WOMEN’S MARCH ON CHICAGO ANNOUNCES NEW RALLY SITE AND MARCH ROUTE
Changes Due to Expectations of 50,000+ Marchers
CHICAGO, IL (Jan. 19, 2017) – The expected number of attendees for the Women’s March on Chicago continues to grow exponentially. Due to the large crowds expected for Jan. 21 march, organizers today announced a new rally site and march route. So far, more than 50,000 people have confirmed attendance on march social media channels, and many more are expected. The new rally location is at the intersection near the Petrillo Bandshell. Updated and more detailed information can be found at the march website: www.womens121marchonchicago.org .
NEW RALLY SITE/START OF MARCH: Intersection of Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard
DIRECTIONS FOR MARCHERS: Marchers should enter the rally area from the south on Congress Parkway or Balbo Drive
ACCESSIBILITY DROP-OFF SITE: Persons with disabilities should enter southbound on Columbus Drive from Randolph Street
NEW MARCH ROUTE: West on Jackson Boulevard to Federal Plaza
STREET CLOSURES: Jackson will be closed at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20
Columbus will be closed at 12 a.m. on Jan. 21
TIMING: 9:15 a.m.: Live Music
10 a.m.: Rally
11:30 a.m.: March Start
NOTE: Due to expected crowds, the City estimates that it will take two hours to complete the march route.
RALLY SPEAKERS/PERFORMERS:
Ari Afsar, Karen Olivo, & Samantha Marie Ware: From the cast of Hamilton, Performance
Jaquie Algee: Director of External Relations, SEIU Healthcare of Illinois & Marilyn Katz: Co-Founder of Chicago Women Take Action
Jean Albright: Master Sergeant (retired) U.S. Air Force
Eman Hassaballa Aly: Muslim community Activist, TRUST Collective
Faith Arnold: SEIU Healthcare Illinois, Fight for $15
Khadine Bennett: American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois
Eloise Diaz Bahrmasel: RISE Movement
Ann Christophersen & Lynn Mooney: Women & Children First
Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton: Hadiya Pendleton Foundation
Rabbi Shoshanah Conover: Temple Sholom of Chicago
Pat Dowell (3rd), Susan Garza (10th), & Michele Smith (43rd): Alderwomen, City of Chicago
The Full Court Press Second Line Drummers: Performance
Kids Off The Block & Diane Latiker: Speaking and Performing
Eva Lewis, Maxine Aguilar, Maxine Wint, and Yahair Tarr: Youth For Black Lives
Lights of Zion: Performance
Tamar Manasseh: Mothers Against Senseless Killings
Fawzia Mirza: Actor/Producer, Emcee
Sara Paretsky: Author, Sisters in Crime Creator
Channyn Lynne Parker: Transgender activist, TransLife Project Manager
Rahnee Patrick: Independent Living at Access Living
Aislinn Pulley: Lead Organizer for Black Lives Matter Chicago
Maria Socorro Pesqueria: President, Mujeres Latinas en Accion
Tiffany Pryor: Executive Director, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health
Liz Radford, Ann Scholhamer, and Jessica Scheller: Co-Chairs of the Women’s March on Chicago
Lucy Smith: Performance
Shani Smith: Lead Marshall of Women’s March on Chicago, Safety Instruction, SEIU Healthcare Illinois
So Chi Voices: Performance
Opal Staples: Performance
Katie Thiede: Vice President of Development, Planned Parenthood of Illinois
Kimberly Wasserman: Executive Director, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Reyna Wences: Organized Communities Against Deportations
Rev. Dr. Janette C. Wilson, Esq.: National RainbowPUSH Coalition
Women's March on Washington - Why We March, Where We Are Marching - Links for 616 Cities
We believe that Women's Rights are Human Rights and Human Rights are Women's Rights. We must create a society in which women - including Black women, Native women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Muslim women, lesbian queer and trans women - are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments. Marches in 616 cities - full list and information.
Unity Principles
We believe that Women's Rights are Human Rights and Human Rights are Women's Rights. We must create a society in which women - including Black women, Native women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Muslim women, lesbian queer and trans women - are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments.
ENDING VIOLENCE
Women deserve to live full and healthy lives, free of all forms of violence against our bodies. We believe in accountability and justice in cases of police brutality and ending racial profiling and targeting of communities of color. It is our moral imperative to dismantle the gender and racial inequities within the criminal justice system.
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
We believe in Reproductive Freedom. We do not accept any federal, state or local rollbacks, cuts or restrictions on our ability to access quality reproductive healthcare services, birth control, HIV/AIDS care and prevention, or medically accurate sexuality education. This means open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people, regardless of income, location or education.
LGBTQIA RIGHTS
We firmly declare that LGBTQIA Rights are Human Rights and that it is our obligation to uplift, expand and protect the rights of our gay, lesbian, bi, queer, trans or gender non-conforming brothers, sisters and siblings. We must have the power to control our bodies and be free from gender norms, expectations and stereotypes.
WORKER'S RIGHTS
We believe in an economy powered by transparency, accountability, security and equity. All women should be paid equitably, with access to affordable childcare, sick days, healthcare, paid family leave, and healthy work environments. All workers - including domestic and farm workers, undocumented and migrant workers - must have the right to organize and fight for a living minimum wage.
CIVIL RIGHTS
We believe Civil Rights are our birthright, including voting rights, freedom to worship without fear of intimidation or harassment, freedom of speech, and protections for all citizens regardless of race, gender, age or disability. We believe it is time for an all-inclusive Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
DISABILITY RIGHTS
We believe that all women's issues are issues faced by women with disabilities and Deaf women. As mothers, sisters, daughters, and contributing members of this great nation, we seek to break barriers to access, inclusion, independence, and the full enjoyment of citizenship at home and around the world. We strive to be fully included in and contribute to all aspects of American life, economy, and culture.
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS
Rooted in the promise of America's call for huddled masses yearning to breathe free, we believe in immigrant and refugee rights regardless of status or country of origin. We believe migration is a human right and that no human being is illegal.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
We believe that every person and every community in our nation has the right to clean water, clean air, and access to and enjoyment of public lands. We believe that our environment and our climate must be protected, and that our land and natural resources cannot be exploited for corporate gain or greed - especially at the risk of public safety and health.
SISTER MARCHES
Sister Marches are solidarity events inspired by the Women's March on Washington, and organized by volunteers around the world. If you can't make it to Washington, D.C. on January 21, join or host a Sister March near you.