The Women's March on Chicago Announces New Rally Location
CHICAGO, Jan. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jackson Boulevard at Lake Shore Drive, immediately south of the Petrillo Bandshell, will be the new kick-off point for a Jan. 21 rally and march in downtown Chicago for women's rights.
Organizers decided to locate the stage on Jackson rather than at the Bandshell to protect Grant Park from damage. The combination of unseasonably warm temperatures, rain earlier in the week, and anticipated large numbers of marchers threatened to turn the Petrillo's grassy field into a mud pit.
Marchers are asked to gather on Jackson, where the stage will face west and back up near Lake Shore Drive. Drop off points will be at Columbus and Jackson, unless crowds force closure of Columbus. Jackson Boulevard will be closed to thru traffic from Lake Shore Drive to Columbus. There will be a disability access drop off point at Lake Shore Drive and Jackson.
Pre-rally musical entertainment begins at 9:30 a.m. Marchers are welcome to arrive on site after 8:30 a.m. Starting at 10 a.m., Ari Afsar, Karen Olivo, and Samantha Marie Ware from the cast of Hamilton will speak and perform. A diverse line-up of speakers including representatives from Planned Parenthood, Youth for Black Lives, Mothers Against Senseless Killings, author Sara Paretsky, Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley of the Hadiya Pendleton Foundation and more will highlight the rally. At around 11:30 a.m., marchers will head west on Jackson to Michigan and around the Loop, finishing up back on Jackson Boulevard near Federal Plaza with a final rallying cry. Jackson Boulevard west of Lake Shore Drive and Columbus will remain closed if marchers wish to informally congregate until 2 p.m.
Attendance numbers for the march continue to grow rapidly, now with more than 120 registered supporting organizations sending marchers and more than 22,000 people confirmed to attend on the March's social media platforms.
Information on accessibility, speakers, and the march route are available at womensmarchchicago.org. Due to the rally location change, some information is still being updated. Please check back for updated information.
SOURCE Women’s March on Chicago
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