Politics
Local activists plan to protest outside Trump Tower in downtown Chicago when President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office Monday.
The group, called the People’s March for Justice, is part of a national coalition fighting against the goals of the incoming administration. They said forming the alliance is just the start to accomplishing that.
Eric Ramos, a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Chicago, one of the groups attending the protests, joined “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” to talk about their plans.
On Local Activists’ United Effort:
Ramos said the coalition is a group of more than 60 local organizations. Some represent immigration advocates, abortion rights groups, LGBTQ+ activists, youth groups and more.
“Solidarity is our greatest power really,” Ramos said. “We don’t have the money as a working class, and we’re up against these huge moneyed interests. So the only way that we can compete with that and stand up to such an agenda like theirs, we have to come and bring all these different struggles together … so that we can kind of manifest the kind of power that’s needed.”
Participating groups will meet at Water Tower Park at 11 a.m. Monday. They plan to rally there until they begin the march to Trump Tower.
On the Message They Want to Share:
Ramos said the rally is looking to address topics such as poverty, housing and education. With many protesters saying they feel dissatisfied with both Democrat and Republican leaders, the movement is looking to support working class people.
“It’s very important that we establish an independent working class politics that is ours, representative of our interests, what the people want in housing and education and health care, and not theirs,” Ramos said.
On the Extra Work to Engage the Community:
Many of the organizations are using methods like art and film to get out their message.
“We’ve been having organizing meetings and we’re inviting people, whether they’re in an organization or not, to come and realize themselves as actors in history and start reaching out to their own communities,” Ramos said.
He added that the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Chicago will host a forum Friday in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ahead of Monday’s MLK Day holiday.