Chicago’s Ellis Park Hosts ‘We Walk For Her’ March and Rally to Honor Missing and Murdered Black and Brown Women and Girls

CHICAGO — On a brisk Wednesday, a determined group took to the streets of Chicago’s South Side, marking the annual “We Walk for Her” event. The march began with a rally in Ellis Park, highlighting a cause that has gained urgency and attention over the years.

For nearly ten years, this coalition of youth and community advocates has been traversing the streets of Bronzeville. Their mission is clear: to spotlight the stark disparities faced by Black and brown women and girls, especially regarding missing persons and unsolved homicide cases.

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Wednesday’s turnout was noteworthy, with organizers remarking on the impressive number of participants who gathered to lend their voices to the cause.

Recent statistics from the State’s Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Task Force paint a concerning picture. In Cook County, Black women constitute 73% of female homicide victims. Furthermore, they represent a third of all active missing person cases in Chicago, despite only making up 15% of the city’s female demographic.

At the rally, speakers underscored that while these figures reveal a grim reality, the women they represent are more than mere statistics—they are individuals with stories and futures that matter.

“Today, we stand here to declare that we are not just numbers on a spreadsheet,” one speaker passionately declared. “We are daughters, sisters, and friends. We are human beings who deserve to grow up, be safe, and be cherished.”

“This is really about families,” said Glen Brooks with the Chicago Police Department. “This is about families who are missing their loved ones and are wondering every single day And this department is committed to bringing the resolution to those family and we will continue to work on that.”

In addition to getting their message out, the organizers of the rally and march say they want to see a specific office in Chicago dedicated to missing and murdered Black women and girl, similar to what the state of Minnesota established in 2023.