Brighton Park residents protest migrants moving into new tent city
CHICAGO - Residents in Roseland and Brighton Park gathered in their respective neighborhoods on Friday to protest the city’s plan to build migrant encampments in their communities.
At the same time, temperatures are dropping and city leaders say they've reached a critical point in their effort to shelter new arrivals.
The community of Brighton Park – which has been one of the most vocal in response to the city’s decision to house migrants in a ‘winterized tent city’ at 38th Street and California Avenue – held a protest and ‘parade’ on Friday.
They marched from the encampment site to the office of Ald. Julia Ramirez (12th Ward).
"Our people that we selected to help us out are selling us out, and they just got into office," said Ricardo Palacios, community member. "The mayor sold us out, the alderwoman sold us out, they’re not doing nothing for my community."
Community members feel they've been kept in the dark and say they should have had input in the decision.
Plus, a big question remains: Is the land safe to build on?
"A long time ago they tried to make a park, they couldn’t, they tried to make a school, they couldn’t, because it’s contaminated," said Palacios.
Ald. Ramirez announced Friday that city crews will be back on-site Monday through Wednesday to collect additional environmental samples.
If the encampment becomes a reality, some residents fear that an influx of new residents would result in an uptick in crime. The city has said police patrols will be ramped up – but residents want specifics.
"How many firefighters are there going to be? How many ambulances? Because they’re talking about over 2,000 people," said Palacios.
Also next week, Ald. Ramirez said a gate on the west side of the lot, along Sacramento Avenue, will be replaced to secure the site. There is currently a large opening in it.
"You got a lot of exits, you got the railroad tracks, you got exits through the back," said Palacios.
A group of neighbors filed a lawsuit to block the site from being used to house migrants; however, a contract for the property has already been signed. The city agreed to pay nearly $92,000 a month to lease the land.
City officials say a final decision on using the site will depend on the results of environmental assessments that are being conducted.
On the city’s South Side, near 115th and Halsted, a similar battle is unfolding.
Neighbors held a protest in front of Ald. Ronnie Mosley's 21st Ward office Friday.
The city is looking to build an encampment in a former jewel parking lot at 115th and Halsted, but some residents are left feeling like the resources they need are being overlooked.
"It’s too much, all our taxpayer dollars are paying for something and we’re barely making it," said Pastor Anthony Wilson, community activist. "We need to repeal everything downtown, including the mayor."
During the protest, residents stated that Mosley falsely claimed the community was in agreement with the city’s encampment proposal.
Mosely released a joint statement with Mayor Brandon Johnson on Friday – stating that they are committed to the needs of the residents.
"The commitments from the Johnson Administration are expansive ─ a base camp deadline, community contracts, capital improvements, support for housing, health and safety, and breaking ground on Morgan Park Commons in 2024," Mosley and Johnson stated.
"This was accomplished by responding to the leadership of the alderman and community stakeholders. These conversations are crucial, and the Johnson Administration is committed to co-governance as we work to create solutions that will support each community. "