Overheard at Communities Partnering 4 Peace March to the Polls

On October 22, 2024, Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) organizations hosted “March to the Polls” events across Chicago’s South, West, and North sides. These marches served as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience within communities disproportionately affected by gun violence. By encouraging voter turnout, they ensured that the voices of those often unheard in the political process resonated with elected officials.

“We know the violence is high where the voter turnout is low,” stated Kanu Iheukumere, CP4P’s Chief Policy Officer, emphasizing the critical link between civic engagement and community safety. Below are snapshots of the different marches that simultaneously happened throughout the city. Note: all photos are courtesy of CP4P organizations.

West Side

The marches on the West Side of Chicago were led by UCAN, Breakthrough, Alliance of Local Service Organizations and Together Chicago.

UCAN (North Lawndale)

*Illinois State Senator Lakesia Collins addresses a crowd in North Lawndale.*

“We are standing in a community that has so much history. A community that is resilient, that works hard no matter what others say. What are the steps we take after we vote? Voting is our power. 40,000 people live here but only 3,000 to 5,000 vote. Where is the power? Your power is that vote. It is the representation of your community… It’s how we hold those in power accountable. That is how we’re able to talk about the things we need here and demand that it comes here. We have more people that are dying than are going to vote. I don’t blame my people for not going to vote. They lost hope but we are going to restore that hope!… I’m an elected official and I know I can’t do it without you… I’m not the one with the power, you are,” said Lakesia Collins, Illinois State Senator.

“It’s been our goal to register 2,000 new voters in North Lawndale to ensure as a collective we are heard…Voting is not merely a right. It is a responsibility and privilege that each of us should embrace. Throughout history countless individuals fought for the right to vote…People endured immense hardships and discrimination just to secure the right to vote today. It’s always good to remember that voting, once was inaccessible to many people. In the times that have changed it is important to bask in the tangible results of decades of struggle. By participating in elections, you play an active role in shaping the future of our country… Voting is not only about your individual voice but it’s about contributing to the collective voice of the people. Today North Lawndale is speaking!” said Edwin Galletti, Vice President of Violence Intervention and Prevention Services

Breakthrough (Garfield Park)

*Voters march in Garfield Park led by Breakthrough.*

Alliance of Local Service Organizations (Humboldt Park)

*People gather in Humbolt Park before marching to vote.*

Together Chicago (Near West Side)

*Together Chicago marches to vote in Chicago’s Near West neighborhood.*

South Side

Marches on the South Side of Chicago were led by Target Area Development, Claretian Associates Enlace Chicago, Precious Blood Ministries of Reconciliation, Think Outside Da Block and Public Equity.

Target Area Development Corp. (Auburn Gresham)

*Metropolitan Peace Initiatives and Target Area Development staff gather in front of The AFC Center before the March to the Polls.*

“I’m not going to tell you who to vote but I will tell you to be educated about your vote. A lot of times new administrations mean new things and I will tell you violence prevention is not on everyone’s agenda…One thing about us, it’s gone take us to save us and we need the support of the people we put in office. So we’re marching with intentionality to let them know our voices will be heard! We will organize to get you in and get you out!” said Joshua Coakley, External Director of Target Area Development

Claretian Associates (Woodlawn)

*Claretian Associates staff Ahad Bay and Jarod Sanders before voting in Woodlawn on October 22.*

“I’ve been a Peacekeeper for about a year and a half now… I met CP4P because I saw what they were doing in the neighborhood…Then Benny Lee invited me to the Metropolitan Peace Academy graduation… Today is my first official day working and I’m out here [to vote].- Ahad Bay Outreach Worker at Claretian Associates

“I started as a participant … and now I’m a hospital responder. I came today to help push the votes today but also vote myself.”- Jarrod Sanders Victim Advocate at Claretian Associates

“Voting is not only valuable because of what it does, think of what it took before for us to have this ability.” – Levante Stewart Executive Director of Lost Boyz Inc

Enlace Chicago (Little Village)

*Voters from Enlace in front of Toman Library, an early voting location in Little Village.*

Precious Blood Ministries of Reconciliation, Southwest Organizing Project, Think Outside Da Block and Public Equity (Back of the Yards and Englewood)

*Precious Blood Ministries of Reconciliation, Southwest Organizing Project, Think Outside Da Block and Public Equity unite to lead a march that ended in front of Lindblom Park.*

North Side

One Northside (Rogers Park)

*Voters march to cast their ballot at Willye B. White Park in Rogers Park.*

Conclusion

Through dynamic marches spanning Chicago’s West, South, and North sides, organizations in Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) reinforced the transformative power of civic engagement. By uniting residents March to the Polls empowered communities historically impacted by gun violence. Together, they championed the push for safer, more equitable neighborhoods, demonstrating that every vote plays a role in shaping the future. Watch our video for more!