“The Night Won’t End” Film Showing and Q+A

DATE: 06/26/2025
TIME: 06:30 PM
LOCATION: Lake Street Church, 1450 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

Join us on Thursday, June 26th for a showing of “The Night Won’t End” followed by Q+A. From air strikes to field executions, Al-Jazeera’s Fault Lines investigates the killings of civilians by the Israeli military in Gaza, and the U.S. role in the war. U.S. weapons transfers – from 2,000-pound bombs to artillery shells and tanks – have been a crucial part of the Israeli military campaign. Fault Lines worked with journalists in Gaza to profile three families as they try to survive the war.

*Free Admission – In-Person Only – Light snacks will be served*

Co-Sponsors:
Advocates for Justice
Chicago Area Peace Action
Evanston Ceasefire
Peace and Justice Committee, Lake Street Church

June 5th, 2025: “The Encampments” Film Showing and Panel

DATE: 06/05/2025
TIME: 07:00 PM
LOCATION: Lake Street Church, 1450 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

From Executive Producer Macklemore, The Encampments offers an urgent, intimate portrait of America’s student movement, ignited at Columbia University as students protested their universities’ ties to the war on Gaza. Their actions sparked a nationwide uprising, with encampments spreading across hundreds of campuses. Featuring detained activist Mahmoud Khalil, alongside professors, whistleblowers, and organizers, the film captures the deeper stakes of a historic moment that continues to reverberate across the globe. Followed by a panel discussion moderated by Rabbi Brant Rosen, featuring two local students who have been active in the campus encampment movement. 

*Free Admission – In-Person Only – Light snacks will be served*

Co-Sponsors:
Advocates for Justice
Chicago Area Peace Action
Evanston Ceasefire
Peace and Justice Committee, Lake Street Church

May 20th, 2025: Public Square Conversation: Personal Power and Collective Action

DATE: 05/20/2025
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Edgewater Presbyterian Church, 1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660

Democracy is not going to save itself—it needs all of us.

Join us for CAPA’s next Public Square Conversation where you’ll connect with others who are ready to get off the sidelines and into action. Together, we’ll explore how civil resistance has prevented the backslide of democracy around the world—and how it remains our best shot at stopping the rise of authoritarianism here at home.

We’ll discuss Gene Sharp’s insight that power depends on the cooperation of ordinary people, not just the decisions of elites, and how that truth can guide us now. You’ll have the chance to reflect on how you want to engage, what resistance looks like for you, and what steps you’re willing to take to stand for human dignity and justice.

If you’re tired of feeling outraged but unsure what to do, this is your invitation to do something—and to do it together.

April 26th, 2025: Earth Day Event at Ladd Arboretum

DATE:04/26/2025
TIME:12:00 PM
LOCATION:2024 N McCormick Blvd, Evanston, IL 60201

Come visit the CAPA Climate Group on Earth Day in Evanston. On Saturday, April 26th, in celebration of Earth Day, please stop by the Ladd Arboretum & Ecology Center in Evanston. The big event is from 12 noon to 3 pm and is organized by the city of Evanston. At the CAPA table, we will have books, snacks, buttons, a petition for our Illinois legislators, and even a climate contest.  Save the date and please join us on April 26th!

April 24th, 2025: “No Other Land” Film Showing and Panel

For half a decade, Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist, films his community of Masafer Yatta being destroyed by Israel’s occupation, as he builds an unlikely alliance with an Israeli journalist who wants to join his fight. No Other Land is an unflinching account of a community’s mass expulsion and acts as a creative resistance to Apartheid and a search for a path towards equality and justice. Followed by a Panel Discussion with Sawsan Abubaker and Eli Newell.

*Free Admission – In-Person Only – Light snacks will be served*

Co-Sponsors:
Advocates for Justice
Chicago Area Peace Action (CAPA)
Mennonite Action
IfNotNow
Peace and Justice Committee, Lake Street Church

April 5th, 2025: HANDS OFF! Nationwide Protest

Join the Chicago Federation of Labor, Equality Illinois, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Indivisible Chicago, Personal PAC, Sierra Club Illinois, and many others as we rally and march to say “enough is enough.” It is time for all of us in Chicago to rise up and fight back for what we believe in. We are joining with others across the U.S. as part of the national Hands Off Day of Action. This will be a nonviolent, broad-based action bringing all of us together from many different causes, communities and issue areas, as the attacks from the Trump administration are impacting us all. We need everyone who cares about our city, our nation, and our planet to make their voices heard. It’s time to say HANDS OFF!

-Hands Off Medicaid!

-Hands Off Social Security!

-Hands Off Our Bodies!

-Hands Off Our Public Lands!

-Hands Off Unions!

-Hands Off Immigrants!

-Hands Off Trans and LGBTQ+ Rights!

-Hands Off Clean Energy!

-Hands Off Our Courts!

-Hands Off Our Democracy!

-Hands Off ______!

Multiple Days: Wilmette Protests for Democracy

LOCATION: 1200 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091

Join us every Saturday morning from 11:00am-noon in downtown Wilmette. We meet in
front of Village Hall at the corner of Wilmette and Central Avenues. Bring your own sign or CAPA will provide you ones to choose from. Bring a friend or family member!
Over 30 of us stand quietly on the corner while pedestrians chat with us and cars honk
their approval. Our messages include: pro-democracy, rule of law, anti-authoritarian,
hands off social security, etc. .

March 27th, 2025: Public Square Conversations: Pillars of Democracy

March 20th, 2025: Holy Redemption Film Showing and Q&A

March 19th, 2025: International Webinar: “Women in Conflict Zones”

On March 19th at 11am CT, join CAPA and 30+ endorsing organizations for an important webinar to amplify the international voices of women who have been affected by conflict. The Women in Conflict Zones webinar, sponsored by World BEYOND War, Southern Anti-Racism Network, International Peace Bureau, Convention for Pan-Africanism and Progress (CPP), and CODEPINK, aims to shed light on the profound impacts of war on women and children and to discuss measures being taken to mitigate these effects. 

WHEN: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 11:00am CT

WHERE: Online 

The webinar will feature speakers from a diverse array of countries, including Belarus, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gaza, Lebanon, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Korea, Sudan, and Syria. Each speaker will have five minutes to share their experiences and insights regarding the unique challenges faced by women and children in their respective regions due to ongoing conflict. This platform not only serves as a means to share stories but also as a call to action for global solidarity and support in ending violence and fostering peace.

Women from various conflict zones will provide firsthand accounts of the struggles and resilience of those living amidst war. Their testimonies will highlight the physical, emotional, and social tolls that armed conflicts impose on women and children, who are often among the most vulnerable populations during such crises. The speakers will also discuss initiatives and efforts being undertaken within their communities to promote safety, healing, and long-term peace.

This webinar takes place during the second UN Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034), which focuses on “Recognition, Justice, Development.” The webinar’s over-representation of African countries in the list of conflict zones underscores the critical need for targeted efforts and interventions to address the systemic issues that perpetuate violence and instability in these regions. The webinar aims to bring attention to these issues and to mobilize support for African women and children who bear the brunt of wars and conflicts.

Speakers include:

• • BELARUS: Olga Karatch

• • CAMEROON: Cyrille Rolande Bechon

• • DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC): Raissa Kasongo and Yvette Mushigo

• • GAZA/PALESTINE: Hanan Awwad

• • LEBANON: Hala Kilani Hala and Shirine Jurdi

• • MOZAMBIQUE: Namatama Sakabilo

• • NIGERIA: Zullaihat Muhammad Ohiare

• • SOUTH KOREA: Cho Young-mi

SUDAN: Reem Abbas

• SYRIA: Oula Ahmad

February 28th, 2025: 24-Hour Economic Blackout

February 20th, 2025: Experiencing Palestine-Israel: Reflections, Realities, and Paths to Solidarity

Chris Inserra and Craig B. Mousin share their experiences from their 10-day trip in November 2024 to Palestine-Israel including time in the West Bank (East Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus) and near Gaza, meeting with Christian, Muslim, and Jewish community members and organizations and the current unfolding realities. They will answer questions and recommend potential actions of solidarity.

WHEN: Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 7:00 PM

WHERE: Lake Street Church, 1450 Chicago Ave, Evanston IL, 60201

**Free admission – light snacks will be served**

Co Sponsors:
Advocates 4 Justice
Chicago Area Peace Action (CAPA)
IfNotNow – Chicago
Peace and Justice Committee, Lake Street Church

February 15th, 2025: Legalizing BDS in Illinois, and Getting Back to NEUTRAL

Many members of the Illinois legislature have asserted that our state’s governing body should have a neutral position in international affairs. However, in 2015, Illinois legislators sought to silence supporters of Palestinian rights by passing SB 1761/ Public Act 099-0128, the Anti Boycott Divestment Sanctions Bill. This law makes Israel the ONLY nation that our state insulates from boycott, divestment, and sanctions – a legitimate and constitutionally-protected strategy of nonviolent protest. With this law, Illinois can punish companies that take a stand against human rights violations by Israel, and can forbid pension funds from making “human rights-based investment decisions.” 

Gather with us on February 15th from 3-4 pm at Lake Street Church in Evanston to learn more about Illinois’ anti-BDS measures, and the tangible actions you can take to overturn them and get Illinois back to neutral! Co-sponsored by: Chicago Area Peace Action, Evanston Ceasefire, Illinois Coalition for Human Rights (ICHR), and Lake Street Church Peace & Justice Committee. This event is free, invite a friend or neighbor — and we’ll have snacks!. Be sure to register! 

WHEN: Saturday, February 15th, 2025 from 3-4 pm (Doors open at 2:45pm)

WHERE: Lake Street Church, MacLeish Hall, 1450 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 (enter the door on the north side of the courtyard)

January 28th & 29th, 2025: Saving Jerusalem as a City of Three Faiths: the Armenian Land Case vs Israeli Settlers

DATE: 01/28/2025
TIME: 12:00 PM
LOCATION: St. James Cathedral, 65 E Huron St, Chicago IL, 60611

Join us on January 28th and 29th for the program, “Saving Jerusalem as a City of Three Faiths: the Armenian Land Case vs Israeli Settlers,” featuring speakers from East Jerusalem.

Residents of the Armenian Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem face increasing violence and aggression from militant Israeli settlers and from extremists in the Israeli government, who are threatening to steal a portion of this land where Armenians have long lived, and convert it into a luxury hotel.

Hear from Armenian activists based in East Jerusalem who are resisting extremist activity and fighting to save Jerusalem as a city for all. Speakers include:

Setrag Balian, Armenian Activist from East Jerusalem
Hagop Djernazian, Armenian Activist from East Jerusalem
Elizabeth Mirza Al-Dajani, member of the international legal team representing the Armenian Community in East Jerusalem
Join us at one or both programs:

WHEN: Tuesday, January 28th at 12pm; WHERE: St. James Cathedral, 65 E Huron St, Chicago IL, 60611. RSVP to farnssn@gmail.com *light lunch will be provided

WHEN: Wednesday, January 29th at 7pm ; WHERE: Lake Street Church, 1450 Chicago Ave, Evanston IL, 60201 (corner of Lake & Chicago Ave) ; *light snacks will be provided

January 25th, 2025: People’s March for Justice

DATE: 01/25/2025

TIME: 12:00 PM

LOCATION: Water Tower Park, 180 E Pearson St., Chicago, 60611

On Saturday, January 25th, a coalition of nearly 60 organizations, the People’s March for Justice, will rally and march in downtown Chicago to demonstrate our united “people power.” We have two central demands:

1) Stop the Genocide in Palestine, end all US aid to Israel!

2) No raids, no deportations!

Other important demands include: ending the U.S. war machine, saving the planet from capitalism, ending qualified immunity, protecting queer and trans people, stopping the assault on workers’ rights to organize, and more – find the full list in English here and in Spanish here.

Our movement to protect and support each other in 2025 and beyond is powerful and growing. Show the people that we can organize, mobilize, build, and withdraw our consent from destructive policies. See you on Saturday!

WHEN: ⏰ Saturday, January 25th, starting at 12 Noon CT (and ending with the coalition’s next mass call to action!)

WHERE: 📍 Starting at Water Tower Park, 180 E Pearson St., Chicago, 60611.

January 14th, 2025: Public Square Conversations: Share Your Ideas on the Public’s Role in a New Political Era

DATE: 01/14/2025
TIME: 06:00 PM
LOCATION: Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 (1st Floor Community Room)

Chicago Area Peace Action is committed to making 2025 and beyond a period of deeper engagement with our membership and the broader community. With this in mind, we invite you to participate in the inaugural session of CAPA’s Public Square Conversations, a space for connecting with community, engaging in dialogue and generating ideas for action.

The first conversation will take place on Tuesday, January 14, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm with the goal of hearing what’s most on your minds in our new political era. Each subsequent Public Square Conversation will focus on a different topic, but the overarching theme will be an exploration of how we can build a society where human dignity is our guiding principle. We hope you will join us!

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 14th, 2025, 6:00-7:30 pm
WHERE: Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60201 (1st Floor Community Room)
**FREE EVENT — ALL ARE WELCOME — SHARE WITH FRIENDS**