CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—August 17, 2018
Contacts: Andy Thayer and Rich Whitney
Fifty years ago, growing numbers of Americans rose up against the twin evils of war and racism. Outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August 1968, peaceful protestors, journalists and passersby were savagely attacked by the police under the apparent orders of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. Inside the convention, Party bosses crushed the hopes of peace candidates supported by the majority of Democratic primary voters.
The Chicago Committee Against War and Racism intends to commemorate this event with a rally and march on the streets of Chicago on Saturday, August 25th. We intend to highlight the sobering lessons of 1968 for today’s world, protesting against the policies of both the Democratic and Republican parties: Unending wars, colossal military spending that starves our schools and public services of urgently needed funds, and a brutal police and prison apparatus that targets people of color. We seek to build a revived and unified movement for peace and social justice, calling on peace, anti-poverty, anti-racist, immigrant rights and other progressive organizations, and all persons of conscience, to join us.
The rally will take place at 12 noon, Saturday August 25, 2018 at the Richard J. Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street in Chicago. At 1 p.m., a march will proceed to the General John A. Logan Statue in Grant Park, corner of 9th Street and S. Michigan Avenue, scene of one of the most iconic protests during the 1968 convention.
Speakers will feature key members of today’s anti-war movement, including:
- Andy Thayer of Gay Liberation Network
- Kathy Kelly of Voices for Creative Non-Violence
- Natasha Ersk of Veterans for Peace
- Vicki Cervantes of La Voz de los de Abajo
- Vince Emanuel, Marine Corps vet of the Iraq war and noted anti-war speaker
- Rich Whitney, co-chair of the Illinois Green Party
Source: Chicago Committee Against War and Racism
