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Youth organize delegation to attend Jan 21 Women’s March on Washington

As part of a national and statewide movement, the Women’s March on Washington – Illinois Youth Chapter will join thousands of people in Washington D.C. on January 21st, the day after the inauguration of President-elect Trump. They will stand in solidarity against the hateful rhetoric of this past election cycle.

Chicago teenagers Chloe Wagner and Morenike Fabiyi, juniors at Francis W. Parker High School, have been working with the Women’s March on Washington – Illinois Chapter, and Chicago Women Take Action, to coordinate sending a group of teens from the Chicagoland area to Washington to attend the march. Wagner and Fabiyi’s efforts include raising funds to subsidize the cost for the teens, and raising awareness among their peers.

“The 2016 election left me feeling confused and vulnerable. Knowing that many youths felt the same way, Chloe and I created the Illinois Youth Chapter in order to let our peers know that their voices are valuable,” Fabiyi said. “It is critical to us that youths are involved in this movement and we are excited to lead a group of peers that will be politically engaged in the future.”

“The Illinois Youth Chapter, a diverse group of teens, will march along with thousands of people in Washington D.C. to take a stand for the causes that they believe in most. The inability to vote, for youths under 18, in this past election, left many feeling powerless in our schools and communities. We hope to give rise to a new group of teens who are engaged and active in political communities despite the fact that we are unable to vote,” Chloe Wagner stated.

About The Women’s March on Washington

The Women’s March on Washington began in response to the divisive rhetoric of the past election cycle, which demonized and threatened the rights of women, immigrants, the LGBTQIA community, survivors of sexual assault, and various other religious and ethnic minorities. This is a grassroots effort comprised of dozens of independent coordinators at the state and local level. The effort is helmed by four National Co-chairs and a National Committee of organizers who are working around the clock to make this march a success and send a bold message to the new administration on their first day in office. The Women’s March on Washington will start at the intersection of Independence Avenue and Third Street SW, near the United States Capitol, at 10:00 AM on January 21, 2017. There will be a march (the route of which will be released in the upcoming weeks) followed by a rally. A program featuring nationally recognized advocates, artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and others will be announced in the coming weeks, as well.

 

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