USA Network’s Characters Unite National Bus Tour made its last stop in Chicago’s Millennium Park this week, encouraging people to take a stand against discrimination, hate and violence.
The cross-country bus tour is part of USA Network’s “Characters Unite Month” campaign to stop injustice. The campaign was launched in February 2009 as part of a pro-social movement.
The Characters Unite RV tour kicked off in New Orleans Feb. 2 and has stopped in seven cities. Chicago is the last stop on the tour with a two- day market, Psych star Dulé Hill will appear Friday at Millennium Park.
“Today we are highlighting what Chicago won’t stand for,” said Janine Miller, campaign coordinator.
Jose Gonzalez, 25, who is from Texas, said Chicago is a very segregated city for a visitor.
“I’m from Texas and you see racism, but I think here the segregation of the city is so much more apparent,” he said. “Chicago is a really segregated city, there isn’t as much intermingling of people.”
When participants enter the bus they are presented with menu cards that list 15 issues, they must choose an issue they won’t stand for. Then participants take their picture with the issue highlighted and pick up their stamped shirt on the way out.
An Arizona resident was walking by with her husband when she noticed the “I won’t stand for” tour bus. “I won’t stand for bullying, “ said Timmy Heckenberg.
“It’s a great opportunity to come in and voice our concern,” she said. “Last week my kid’s friend who also lived in my neighborhood committed suicide because he was bullied so I feel really strongly about this issue.”
Michelle Ketcham, 22, has been on tour with the campaign for five weeks and in all seven cities. She has seen a variety of people join the movement, including homeless people and children.
“It gives people a voice and shows them it’s ok to take a stand against injustice,” said Ketcham, event coordinator.
Miller talked about how bullying has had an impact on her younger siblings. “They come to me crying, so that has always been a huge issue for me because I’m their big sister,” Miller said.
“I hate to say it, but it’s grown so much, because when I was younger, it didn’t follow me on Facebook or on social media,” Miller said. “These kids can’t go home without seeing it. Before it was just in the classroom, which was bad enough, but it follows them. So I hope to not stand for that, and I hope the people throughout the country of America won’t stand for that as well.”
On Feb. 4 the Characters Unite RV visited the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn for an event honoring Rosa Parks‘ 100th birthday as a National Day of Courage. Event coordinator Characters Unite Gina Stefani said the campaign handed out more than 4,000 T-shirts.
Meredith Kavanagh, Ashli Teil and Liset Ramirez contributed to this story.
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