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