Women’s March Chicago is thrilled to host two marches in 2020 as voters gear up for the highly anticipated 2020 presidential election.
The first March is currently slated for Saturday, January 18, 2020, in Grant Park and will coincide with the annual anniversary of the Women’s March movement. Following a “March only” format, the Chicago event will kick off a crucial election year while raising awareness about and encouraging participation in the 2020 Census.
The second March is expected to take place in mid-October 2020 in Grant Park, and will be a traditional rally and March designed to fire up voters as they head to the polls for one of the most consequential elections in modern times.
“There is no denying that 2020 is going to be a big year with the upcoming presidential race, the opportunity to change Senate leadership and the 2020 Census,” said WMC board president Jaquie Algee, during a press conference in Grant Park. “We know that our marching community is engaged, enraged, energized and excited. We wanted to give our marchers more than one opportunity to make their voices heard loud and clear over the course of this historic year.”
Because of Chicago’s often blisteringly cold winter weather, the January March will see marchers on the move rather than following a traditional long-form rally format. WMC will work with the city to design a route from Grant Park to Federal Plaza that will feature entertainment, educational elements and other surprises as marchers wind their way through downtown streets.
WMC and its partner organizations will also use the event as an opportunity to spread the word about the 2020 Census, which gets underway in the spring.
In October, WMC will feature a traditional rally with speakers and entertainment. This rally will also culminate in a March. Marchers will be encouraged to participate in early voting, which will be underway. In addition, WMC will host its popular festival-style Voter Village where participants can mingle with activists, political candidates, merchants and others before taking to the streets.