CHICAGO – The annual March for Life Chicago is scheduled to return next weekend, and the mayor's last-minute vaccine proof mandate has set the day-long celebration's organizers into a need to make quick adjustments.
The March for Life annual banquet facility scheduled as the Chicago Hilton will require proof of vaccination – something many pro-lifers will not be able to provide because they've resisted the vaccines. Many of those opposing abortion point to their reasons for resisting as being that all three available vaccines reportedly either used aborted fetal cell lines during research, development or manufacture.
Illinois Review asked the organizers – a pro-life group called WeDignify.org – how they were responding to questions being raised by a perceived conflict in principles.
The group said that was absolutely not the case. They've rearranged the schedule to accommodate everyone wishing to attend.
"The March for Life Chicago is not requiring anyone to receive a vaccine to participate in March for Life Chicago events. The City of Chicago put a vaccine mandate into effect as of today, January 3, 2022," the group's spokesperson Caitlin Bootsma said in an email.
"While most of the March for Life Chicago events are not affected by the mandate, the Banquet is being hosted by the Hilton, which is requiring either proof of vaccination or a documented exemption for a seated dinner. In response, the March for Life Chicago has changed the order of the evening so that everyone can still participate in the program whether or not they choose to be screened and then also have provided a dinner option for those who choose not to be screened."
WeDignify.org, the organizing group, sent out a notice to supporters that attendees would need to respond by Tuesday as to whether they'd like to show their proof of vaccine and enter the traditional banquet, or if they'd rather grab a prepackaged meal to be eaten outside the Hilton facilities.
The banquet schedule for Saturday, January 8, 2022 is planned to be:
- 5:00 pm - Doors open for Reception (General & VIP) Connect with pro-lifers from the Midwest, including the top leaders. Neither reception will have food or beverage, so there is no screening for vaccination or exemptions here.
- 6:00 pm – Program: Listen to the banquet speaker line-up and honor the Legacy of Life awardees. This will take place in the same room as the general reception. Please note there is also no food or beverage, so there is no screening for vaccinations or exemptions here.
After the program, we will transition to a different room for the next portion of the evening.
- 7:00pm-9:00pm Dinner and Drinks (two options)
- Seated Dinner: seated dinner with a hosted bar
- For this option, the Hilton staff will check proof of vaccination or qualification of an exemption. If you are vaccinated and possess proof of vaccination (vaccination card and identification) then please plan to present it upon entry. The Mayor’s order includes a religious or medical exemption for individuals, which requires “a COVID-19 test administered by a medical professional within the last 72 hours”. To qualify for this exemption, the Hilton has asked for individuals to “provide a current letter from their physician for medical exemption. Please provide a letter from a pastor/priest, etc. for religious exemption.”
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- Packaged Dinner: packaged meal + special gift – For this option, there is no checking for proof of vaccination or qualification of an exemption. The meal can be enjoyed in an area of the hotel not restricted by the mandate or on-the-go. Each meal will include a special gift from us as we know this is not what you anticipated.
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Either option includes the same meal and the meal selection is based on what the patrons chose when they purchased their tickets.
For the latest information, check out www.marchforlifechicago.org
