Women’s March Chicago — which has attracted tens or even hundreds of thousands of people in the past — will be going virtual on Saturday with an event to encourage Chicagoans to vote in the upcoming election.
“We’re going to work to get people out to vote,” said Women’s March Chicago president Jaquie Algee. “Because this election is one we must [vote].”
Women’s March Chicago board member Dilara Sayeed said speakers and other guests — like comedians and singers — will hop onto a Zoom call throughout the day. The call will be live-streamed on Facebook.
Speakers will include politicians, local leaders and community activists, such as Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Illinois NAACP president Teresa Haley.
“We have one ask out of this event: get involved,” Sayeed said. “Your vote is your voice.”
The “Zoom to the Polls” event will also have an in-person gathering hosted by South Side group Phalanx Family Services in its parking lot on at 837 W. 119th St.
Pauline Sylvain-Lewis of Phalanx said there will not only be polling location information, but also city officials offering CityKey IDs to people and other community resources.
She added those who attend will also be screened into the Zoom call at noon.
“We want the community to just come out, be safe ... get the information you need, get to know who’s around you and then head to the polls at our two locations in the ninth and the 34th wards,” Sylvain-Lewis said.
Saturday’s event will also encourage Chicagoans to complete the census, with the in-person function offering on-site completion of the questionnaire.
Sheryl Holman, CEO of community services group Community Assistance Programs, said people should fill out the census as soon as possible, as the U.S. Supreme Court put a halt to it on Tuesday.
“If you are not counted for the census, you are not here,” Holman said.
Algee said with the event going virtual, it’s an opportunity to encourage friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to join in.
“You can put on your jeans and get together in your homes ... or you can go down to Phalanx and participate in the live event,” Algee said. “Either way, you can be a part of this amazing day and ‘Zoom to the Polls.’”
