An Inside Look At The Chicago Women's March
CHICAGO (CBS) -- More than 50,000 people are expected to swarm Saturday in the downtown area for a women's march on Chicago.
The large scale solidarity movement comes less than 24-hours after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, but several march organizers insist the march is not an anti-Trump march - it is a march on rights, especially women's rights.
Organizers said the women's march is meant to show global support for women's rights, human rights and social justice.
Facebook shows 37,000 people are interested in Chicago women's march, but organizers and city officals are expecting participation to pass 50,000.
#WomensMarchChi preps. Organizers tell @cbschicago this AM expected #Chicago crowd of 50K now higher cuz of suburb bus trips! #womensmarch pic.twitter.com/a84rRbImNf
— LAUREN VICTORY (@LaurenVictory) January 21, 2017
Chicago's march is just one of 250 scheduled around the world.
CBS 2's Audrina Bigos and Lauren Victory are among the crowd with an inside look of the Chicago Women's March.
As far as the eye can see. #womensmarchchi @cbschicago @womensmarchchi #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/sGcB1KMmw2
— Audrina Bigos (@AudrinaBigos) January 21, 2017
Here's a bird's eye view of the march's turnout.
Massive turnout at Grant Park for the women's march pic.twitter.com/TXRh8cbi78
— Jessyca Malina (@jessycamalina) January 21, 2017
The cast of Broadway in Chicago's 'Hamilton' sang at the Chicago Women's March.
Cast of 'Hamilton' Chicago singing at #WomensMarchChi.@cbschicago @womensmarchchi #Hamilton pic.twitter.com/ykvuBrEtJc
— Audrina Bigos (@AudrinaBigos) January 21, 2017
And the Schuyler Sisters stood together in unity.
The Schuyler Sisters.
— Carl Clemons-Hopkins ???? (@cclemonshopkins) January 21, 2017
Work.#womensmarch #womensmarchchicago pic.twitter.com/kdafE0g7Vg
Thousand of people tried to make their way into Grant Park on Saturday morning to attend the rally.
Thousands on #MichiganAve and streams of people continue to head towards #grantpark for the #WomensMarch. #womensmarchchi @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/IjrW1xgubA
— Wendy Widom (@wendywidom) January 21, 2017
Supporters young and old, attended the rally - cheering on human rights and wearing their pink pussyhats.
People of all ages at the #womensmarch in #chicago. #womensmarchchi @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/si1fyFY5Nd
— Wendy Widom (@wendywidom) January 21, 2017
She's gonna rise up! pic.twitter.com/hGgLHbPXjK
— Mary Beth Schneider (@marybschneider) January 21, 2017
Even men were out at the rally supporting the fight.
And those without a voice yet.
The rally hosted many speakers, starting with the chairs of Women's March Chicago.
"150,000 people in attendance - second largest @WomensMarch outside of DC!!!"
— Cause the Effect CHI (@CauseEffectCHI) January 21, 2017
Co-Chairs of @WomensMarchChi #WomensMarchCHI #whyIMarch pic.twitter.com/UFQOWYEbD9
Faith Arnold of SEIU HCIIMK and Fightfor15 spoke at the rally, "I have hope -- and that is the greatest gift I get from my union."
"I have hope -- and that is the greatest gift I get from my union."
— Cause the Effect CHI (@CauseEffectCHI) January 21, 2017
Faith Arnold of @SEIUhciimk and #Fightfor15 #whyIMarch @womensmarchchi pic.twitter.com/Ry7o5N8yrw
Rabbi Shoshanah Conover from Sholom Chicago, said "We have shown up -- and we are shining!"
"We have shown up -- and we are shining!"
— Cause the Effect CHI (@CauseEffectCHI) January 21, 2017
Rabbi Shoshanah Conover from @Sholomchicago #WomensMarchCHI #whyIMarch @womensmarchchi pic.twitter.com/vMJvmI2zqO
Sister Sol, supporter of Black Lives Matter also spoke at the rally.
#womensmarchCHI #BlackLivesMatter Sister Sol speaking at #WomensMarch @Blklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/aZ22R7GHlM
— BLMChicago (@BLMChi) January 21, 2017
And as the morning went on and the crowd crew, the march was cancelled but the group continued to rally in Grant Park.
Due to the large crowd on hand, today's Woman's March has been changed to a Rally. pic.twitter.com/IjVelFUrLu
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) January 21, 2017
Statement from @NotifyChicago @ChicagoOEMC1 & #ChicagoWomensMarch on support rally transition. pic.twitter.com/KybGHqfmSn
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) January 21, 2017
We have reached capacity - over 150K! We are going to rally in place. #WomensMarch
— Womens March Chi (@womensmarchchi) January 21, 2017
"Who shuts it down? #Chicago shuts it down!!! Yes we can! #WomensMarch
— Womens March Chi (@womensmarchchi) January 21, 2017
Here's a quick look at that crowd...
Thousands of people are marching even though organizers cancelled because massive crowds. Rally continues.@cbschicago #WomensMarchchi pic.twitter.com/Dkydw1E3QF
— Audrina Bigos (@AudrinaBigos) January 21, 2017
HUGE crowd #womensmarchChi pic.twitter.com/BHeVJetp3v
— Stephen Gossett (@gossettrag) January 21, 2017
Attorney General Lisa Madigan showed her support at the rally, speaking "If we stay strong and we stay together, there is nothing we cannot do -- nothing we cannot change."
"If we stay strong and we stay together, there is nothing we cannot do -- nothing we cannot change."@LisaMadigan at @womensmarchchi pic.twitter.com/Bl6xRzw31o
— Cause the Effect CHI (@CauseEffectCHI) January 21, 2017
She was among other state and city officials in attendance.
@LisaMadigan @followkurt Susana Mendoza & Michael Scott among the many officials supporting the march pic.twitter.com/TO957B0OCp
— Genita C. Robinson (@GenitaRobinson) January 21, 2017
Some chose to march anyways, regardless of the city's cancellation. People in vests guided marchers in the Loop.
People in these vests are guiding marchers in #Chicago. #womensmarch @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/E6d3tAwIpq
— Wendy Widom (@wendywidom) January 21, 2017
People chanted, "The people united will never be divided."
At front of march! #WomensMarchChicago #womensmarch #dumptrump pic.twitter.com/0PDzENlHW6
— Profe Ervin ???? (@SolidarityErvin) January 21, 2017
While the crowd voiced their rights and carried signs.
Boys will be boys good humans.
I march for my wife, daughter and granddaughters.
The future is female.
If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
Make America Kind Again.
The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.
The rally continued in Grant Park.
"I'm every woman!"#womensmarchchi @womensmarchchi @cvpayne pic.twitter.com/B9zzAnzVed
— Audrina Bigos (@AudrinaBigos) January 21, 2017
"We have a right to sit in the park. Say "NO" to gun violence"
"We have a right to sit in the park. Say "NO" to gun violence" #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/zwLL7XkH6J
— Womens March Chi (@womensmarchchi) January 21, 2017
"If we want to see real change, we must stand for reproductive justice"
"If we want to see real change, we must stand for reproductive justice" #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/TLLGI8sDDz
— Womens March Chi (@womensmarchchi) January 21, 2017
"It's our duty to fight for our freedom. It's our duty to win. We must love & support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains"
"We shall be seen and heard, we shall not be moved. Just like a tree that's planted by the water, we shall not be moved."
"We shall be seen and heard, we shall not be moved. Just like a tree that's planted by the water, we shall not be moved." #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/lP9wsQzzdA
— Womens March Chi (@womensmarchchi) January 21, 2017
"We start with peace, we return to peace and we stand for justice with each other."
We start with peace, we return to peace and we stand for justice with each other. #WomesnMarchChi pic.twitter.com/PZYwxHF9vT
— Womens March Chi (@womensmarchchi) January 21, 2017
"I break chains all by myself, won't let my freedom rot in hell.Hey! I'ma keep running cause a winner don't quit on themselves"
"I break chains all by myself, won't let my freedom rot in hell.Hey! I'ma keep running cause a winner don't quit on themselves" #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/2Jn26Bh57Z
— Womens March Chi (@womensmarchchi) January 21, 2017
There are reports that 150,000 people were in attendance for the Women's March on Chicago.
#WomensMarch in #Chicago continues. Reports are that there are 150k marchers. (Photos: @hinklecolin) @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/upccDLmyyV
— Wendy Widom (@wendywidom) January 21, 2017
Participants felt success by the end of the rally and march.
Full bridges, full streets, full hearts. Lots of love here today! ❤️????❤️???? @womensmarchchi #whyIMarch pic.twitter.com/I7VDz911xa
— Sarah (@saremil) January 21, 2017
That's what we did today at #WomensMarchchi the people led and marched and said we stand up we fight back, we win.
— Jacob Lesniewski (@jplesniewski) January 21, 2017
@womensmarchchi such love and solidarity, amazing day, THIS is my America pic.twitter.com/IRyU9fMzQW
— newday (@chartanewpath) January 21, 2017
Awesome turnout, to exercise our 1st amendment rights @womensmarchchi #womenspeakout pic.twitter.com/QXWRYpFyZo
— Wendy Betts (@betts_wendy) January 21, 2017
And that's a wrap!
Thank you for marching! Stay strong, be well and safe travels home.#WomensMarchChi #WhyIMarch #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/2w1NwCTs54
— Womens March Chi (@womensmarchchi) January 21, 2017