Over 100 protesters marched on Chicago’s South Side to raise awareness of abused women and domestic violence on Oct. 31.

Marlen Torres, one of the marchers that wore skeleton makeup, walked at the head of the procession holding a pot of incense. The procession called for an end to domestic violence.

Since 1994, the “Silent too Long, Silent No More” rally has been held to break the stigma of silence that domestic violence has in communities. It creates dialogue about the issue to make positive changes to help women.

“I actually started working with victims of domestic violence in 2005 and since then, I’ve participated in the march,” said Guadalupe Miranda, a domestic violence counselor who works with Mujeres Latinas en Accion. “It’s [time] to make the public aware that domestic violence exists in our homes. People don’t know how to define it because it is [not only] physical, but also verbal and emotional.”

After a slight delay and the performance of an Aztec ceremony, the protesters began the mile long march through the Pilsen neighborhood. They held signs that read, “Stop the violence” and “Stop abusing mothers” in both English and Spanish. Marchers had pots and pans and banged them as they chanted, “No more violence, break the silence.”

“I’m here [protesting] drugs and violence at the same time. We’re supporting the people from Pilsen and Little Village. We want to stop the violence…this is all about no violence,” said Edward Campos, a construction worker.

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