Chicago migrants: Residents sue to halt South Side migrant shelter
CHICAGO - Residents on Chicago’s South Side are sounding off about the migrant situation.
South Shore residents announced a new lawsuit and injunctive relief against the city of Chicago on Wednesday.
People from Austin, Bronzeville, Hyde Park, and Woodlawn areas also gathered for a rally to show solidarity.
Organizers say they are taking action in hopes of preventing the city from continuing to create what they say are inhumane conditions for its current citizens and migrants.
Back in May, residents in South Shore announced a similar lawsuit but have since retracted it and developed a more comprehensive lawsuit.
The attorney for two South Shore residents, Frank Avila, says there are important parts in this new all-encompassing suit.
First, South Shore High School should be opened as a high school for the community.
"To have us foot the bill and hand over our already limited resources, public parks, and school buildings that have been unjustly closed in the first place," said Natasha Dunn, one of the plaintiffs.
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She says she and others have no problem with the migrants but have issues with the city.
The plaintiffs are also calling for an audit.
"The city of Chicago has allocated or spent $100 million, first $30 million, then $51 million, and now $20 million for a security company; you should not have people sleeping in tents outside when winter is coming," said Avila.
Lastly, they don’t want their area parks or safe spaces to be used as migrant housing.
"What the city is telling these young people is that we’re going to take away your extracurricular activities and turn you away into these streets," said Roseland resident Tanesha Peeples.
Peeples says she speaks for many people when she says there needs to be change.
"Chicago isn’t a sanctuary city; it’s a business masking itself as a safe harbor for new asylum seekers," said Peeples.
Right now, just South Shore residents are filing the lawsuit.
Avila says more communities may be added.