Internationally Recognized Human Rights Group Reaches Illinois On 90-Mile March

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. - Poor People’s Army, a group of self-organized poor and homeless people with a 30-year history, is marching from Milwaukee to Chicago to protest at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on August 19. After a week of marching, the group reached the state border of Illinois; 47 miles from the starting point. The two-week march is meant to highlight people in the U.S. experiencing poverty and basic human rights violations such as lack of housing, health care and access to food, connecting these issues with the struggles that poor people face internationally.

Central to the group’s focus is the Supreme Court decision, City of Grants Pass vs. Johnson, stating people experiencing homelessness can be arrested and fined for sleeping outside when there are no safe alternatives. Poor People’s Army, led by people who are homeless or formerly homeless themselves,  is setting up encampments in different towns en route to Chicago. On the first night of the march, their encampment at Morgan Park in southern Milwaukee was swept by the police in the middle of the night. 

“Poor and homeless people are being brutalized, with tents and encampments destroyed and bulldozed away from San Francisco to Philadelphia to Gaza and the West Bank,” said Poor People’s Army spokesperson, Cheri Honkala. “These preventable human rights violations are being committed by Democratic and Republican leaders alike.”

Honkala, leading the march with her young children, is an internationally recognized human rights advocate who has been the guest of governments and organizations across the world, including India, Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, Israel and Palestine. Honkala was recognized by Front Line USA as a “human rights defender.” She was granted asylum status by Ireland, recognizing the political persecution she faces as a human rights organizer in the U.S.

The Poor People’s Army has marched on Democratic and Republican National Conventions for decades. They were the only organization granted a permit to march on the DNCin Chicago, due to a city mistake. The City has been asking the group to change their plans, but confirms they will be marching from Humboldt Park to the gates of the United Center at 4 p.m. Aug. 19.

About Poor People’s Army:

For three decades, The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC)/Poor People’s Army has been organizing poor and homeless people by “reclaiming the basic necessities of life” with free food distribution and housing takeovers of abandoned government-owned properties. They have released the book, Takeover! A Human Rights Approach to Housing.

Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) / POOR PEOPLE’S ARMY  Press Release, For immediate release August 11, 2024. Press Contacts: Leela de Paula, 413-270-2087 Cheri Honkala, 215-869-4753 PPEHRCorg@gmail.com