Hundreds of people gathered for the “Women of The World Unite” march on Sunday, March 10, at Federal Plaza.
The Freedom Road Socialist Organization hosted the Women’s March with support from Chicago For Abortion Rights, U.S. Palestinian Network, Anti-War Chicago, and many more.
The organizations marched from Federal Plaza, located at 50 W. Adams St., to the Metropolitan Correctional Center and to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Headquarters. This was the first of multiple planned marches leading up to the DNC, which will be held in Chicago, from Aug. 19 to 22.
They marched for many causes, including the liberation of Palestine and demanding the U.S. stop providing financial aid to Israel. They also marched for immigration rights, the legalization of undocumented workers, LGBTQ and reproductive rights, and funding for healthcare, housing, education.
Natalie Praneis, a sophomore urban education major at the University of Illinois Chicago, helped organize the event and is a member of Students for a Democratic Society, a nationwide, student-led organization fighting for progressive change on college campuses, with over 40 chapters across the country.
Praneis said the committee for the event is made up of activists from “a range of struggles.”
“With everything happening in the world right now, we definitely want to put Palestine at the forefront of this event,” Praneis said.
Sarah Ihmoud, a member of the Palestinian Feminist Collective, spoke at the event to bring awareness to the women in Gaza who are suffering from the ongoing war.
“Our bodies, our rights, our right to decide,” Ihmoud said, while leading Chicagoans, students, families and individuals in chanting “Abortion is healthcare, healthcare is a right,” “Free Palestine,” and “No justice, no peace.”
