Black Millennials, Allies Lead 'Right To Breathe' Walk And Rally

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — A "Right To Breathe" March and Rally” will step off from Trinity Christian College on Friday, June 12. Demonstrators will head to Memorial Park for a rally featuring elected officials and religious leaders speaking out against systemic racism. Participants are asked to practice social distancing and wear face coverings.

Organizing the event is Christian Perry, a Palos Heights resident and Trinity Christian College alum. Perry is the founder of the Black Millennial Renaissance, a network of black millennials and their allies fighting to end systemic racism. The group says it is “answering the call of the Black Lives Matter Movement to organize, educate, and empower society to heal the wounds of slavery and the decades of discrimination and oppression that have followed.”

“Millennials are taking the lead on conversations about systemic racism going forward,” Perry said. “This group will be in charge for the next 15 years.”

Participants will start gathering at 10:30 a.m. in Trinity Christian College Devos Gymnasium Parking Lot, 6601 W College Drive in Palos Heights. The march will step off at 12:15 p.m. and head down on Route 83 at Memorial Park, 7800 W. College Drive, where there will be a rally.

Slated to speak are 3rd Illinois District Democratic candidate Marie Newman, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (6th District), Lighthouse Church of All Nations Pastor Dan Willis, the Rev. Reginald Sharpe, senior pastor of Fellowship Chicago, and Cook County Young Democrats Chair Chakena Sims.

IFT Local 943 President Elaine Barlos, and Chief Mitchell Davis, of the Hazelcrest Police Department and president of the South Suburban Police Chiefs.

“There will be a large Arab American and Christian contingent,” Perry said. Allies of our cause and partners from all over the south suburbs are coming out to support us.”

Learn more about the Black Millennial Renaissance, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.