CHICAGO—Hundreds of Chicago residents, along with hundreds of supporters who boarded buses from Detroit, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and New York, braved the rain and inclement weather on Aug. 1 to participate in “The National March into Marquette Park.”
The gathering hosted by Chicago-based IMAN (Inner-City Muslim Action Network) in partnership with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and other community organizations. The march was also in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the march to Marquette Park led by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On August 5, 1966, Dr. King led about 700 peaceful marchers through Chicago’s Southwest Side’s Marquette Park neighborhood, to protest redlining. Redlining is a form of housing discrimination against Black people through designating majority-Black neighborhoods in red on city maps and denying federal investment.
Private banks and the Federal Housing Administration used these maps to refuse backing for mortgages in those areas. This form of discrimination was outlawed in 1968, yet activists argue it continues today in other forms, such as gentrification.
In 1968, demonstrators were confronted by 4,000 rioters who threw bricks, stones, and rocks. Dr. King was hit on the right side of his head, before falling and getting up to continue to march.
Themed, “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” the mission of organizers of this year’s 60th anniversary commemoration was to address modern challenges Black people are still faced with, including voting rights, economic injustice, and systemic criminalization.
The day consisted of speakers and political music interludes from diverse nationalities and faiths, with a message of unity. Domestic and international concerns were addressed by various speakers during the program that took place after the march.
Yusef Jackson, son of civil rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson Jr., is the president and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, founded by his late father. He implored those gathered to purchase homes, emphasizing the power and legacy that home ownership can bring to individuals and families.
His brother, Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), emphasized the importance of voting and reminded attendees how events that happen abroad can have an effect and impact everywhere, even in the United States.
He explained that the U.S. oil embargo and sanctions on Cuba and conditions in other countries like Venezuela, create conditions that often lead to people in those countries leaving home, coming to the U.S. and settling in Black and poor areas.
He also raised questions regarding what is happening to Venezuela’s oil revenue. “The Trump administration is selling (Venezuela’s) oil. Those monies are in an account in the (U.S.) Treasury Department. We would like to simply know what disbursements are being made? What leverage does (Venezuelan) President Delcy Rodriqugez have over the funds of the Venezuelan people?” he said to The Final Call.
“When the Trump Administration cut financial assistance from the poorest people, this is what is driving the migration issue all around the world. For the people of Chicago who received over 35,000 Venezuelans, did you know that they had the effects of three Great Depressions? In the last 20 years they (Venezuelans) have been cut off from the financial system,” he said.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and rapper/actor Common were among participants of the anniversary march.
A video message from Ahmed Muin from Gaza was also shown. “I am a musician and music teacher. We are still spreading love and joy and healing children. We have a lot of activities for the children, and I have found a lot of camps that need that activity to help them forget what they suffer.
Three years living in tents, in the rain, and the hot summers, this message is to thank you for standing by us and giving us positive energy that we are not alone,” said Mr. Muin.
Bernice King, daughter of Dr. King, also addressed attendees. “The trumpet is sounding. It is calling us to rebuild together and to do massive organizing. Across this nation, we must organize our faith like we have done here today. Let us march with our hearts,” she said.
For people who attended, many came away inspired by what they experienced.
Mary Harrison of Chicago appreciated the message of unity and the importance of providing “resources for ourselves.”
“ … I am grateful to be a part of it,” she told The Final Call.
Sedika Ali from Chicago was also impacted. “Has it been 60 years? Everything seems to be almost the same, and I am tearing up because the same things are happening. We need to stand together and make a real change. People of all nationalities need to get together and stand against these tyrants. There is no room for division,” said Ms. Ali.
Kalimah Sharief traveled to the gathering from Detroit. “Everybody deserves justice; religion is supposed to make you grow and join fellow human beings,” she said.
Eric Kittrell from Chicago, stated, “It is a pleasure being here today. The issues that we are fighting for today, we have been fighting for, unfortunately, a long time. There is a serious threat inside the White House to our lives, and we must not lie down. We must stand and fight.”—Shawntell Muhammad, Contributing Writer
(Shawntell Muhammad can be contacted at [email protected].)
