Kat Abughazaleh was among several political candidates who participated in Evanston’s Fourth of July parade last Friday. The parade’s theme was “Truth Guides, Justice Unites, Kindness Heals,” which Abughazaleh hopes to carry forward in her campaign for the United States House of Representatives.
Abughazaleh stated that her campaign has two focuses: anti-authoritarianism and basic existence, which means that everyone should be able to afford housing, groceries, and healthcare.
“The most common thing when I ask people what they care about is democracy,” he said. “They care about ICE entering their communities and removing their neighbors from the streets. They are concerned that their children’s pre-kindergarten program has been closed — not just for their children, but for children across the country.”
Miracle Jenkins, a 31-year-old Evanston native, is also campaigning for the United States House. He hopes to gain some name recognition in his hometown, according to his childhood friend Emma Cioata, who campaigned alongside him.
“He is kind of the little guy from Evanston, born and raised, and very liberal,” Cioata told me. “He is got more liberal views as I think growing up in Evanston gives you.”
Cioata, Jenkins’ lifelong friend, and her daughter rushed over to the parade the moment he said he needed help campaigning. She stated that she would love to have someone like him in office, especially given the lack of support she feels in Congress.
“He was the friend that would call you up at two of the clock in the morning and rant about social injustices and how he wished he could change them,” Cioata told me. “I have seen him grow and change and become this man, and I am very proud of it.”
Jenkins’ platform centers on issues such as climate change, livable wages, abortion access, and veteran support. He refers to his vision for the future as the “Universal New Deal.”
While several floats focused on House campaigns, not all candidates in the parade were vying for a spot in Washington, D.C. Some were running for state offices, including Patrick Hanley, whose campaign focuses on Illinois’ future.
“Most importantly, we got to protect our people from Donald Trump and the Trump administration,” according to Hanley. “Second, we need a new generation of Democratic Party leadership in Illinois. Finally, we want to create an Illinois that is safe, green, and growing.”
Attending the parade was important to Hanley for more than just increasing his campaign’s visibility. He explained that attending the parade was an attempt to reclaim the holiday and celebrate Evanston as he sees it in the future.
“What is so important is that we take the Fourth of July back as an American holiday and remember that America is not what happens in Washington, D.C.,” according to Hanley. “This is what happens in Evanston.” It is what happens here.
