Right to Recovery protest in downtown Chicago calls for financial help for working families

Michelle Gallardo Image
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Coronavirus Chicago: Right to Recovery protest outside Thompson Center calls for financial help for working families
Dozens of Chicago protesters are calling for more economic help in dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Dozens of Chicago protesters are demanding more economic help in dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

A caravan of hundreds of vehicles filled with members of over 50 different community organizations across the city and state gathered outside the Thompson Center Thursday afternoon.

They call themselves the Right to Recovery coalition, advocating for everything from workers rights and education to health care and housing.

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"I live in a three-unit family owned apartment building. I was the only person that had the money to pay my rent," said Candace Castillo, of United Working Families.

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Although the protesters cover many interests, their call is the same. They're demanding equal access to emergency funding and support as the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage those at the bottom end of the economic ladder.

"The government needs to see that one-time stimulus check they gave us is not going to help," said Destiny Zapata, who works as a housekeeper. "There's corporations that are getting trillions of dollars right now. Why are we not getting that? Why are we not getting something to help our families, our communities?"

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For more information on the Right to Recovery coalition, visit their website.