[permalink]A warm, overcast day turned soggy, but didn’t dampen the spirits of the Chicago CodePINK peace contingent at the 76th annual Bud Billiken Parade.

The parade, named for Bud Billiken, a fictional character dubbed the “protector of children,” serves as the signal back-to-school event on Chicago’s south side, and has grown to be one of the largest annual parades in the world. Every year, the parade’s participants include politicians, dance troupes, corporate floats, radio stations, and on and on.

This year saw the addition of Chicago CodePINK’s peace contingent, with about 40 people from a wide variety of local anti-war groups: Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Voices in the Wilderness, South Siders for Peace, Chicagoans Against the War in Iraq, World Can’t Wait, Veterans For Peace, Chicago Coalition Opposing the Militarization of Youth, and Chicagoland Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights. Read the full article.

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