Thursday night's community meeting to inform Chicago’s Edgewater community of the city’s decision to use the Broadway Armory, operated by the Parks Department, a follow up to a letter sent to area residents on Tuesday informing them of the decision brought out a standing room only crowd, preceded by a raucous demonstration by the Save Our Broadway Park Coalition complete with yellow placards, saying “Don’t displace Us” as television camera captured the noisy mostly white demonstrators as local reporters captured the scene.
As the crowds poured into the gymnasium, both the temperature of the packed space, and that of the crowd was raised to a fever pitch, as newly elected Alderwoman Lenni Manna Hoppenworth tried valiantly to silence the crowd to begin the meeting and was subjected to taunts, incomprehensible, but angry comments, amidst “Save Our Park” and as the yellow signs and placards waved it was clear that this was to be a contentious meeting.
With a host of city officials including Deputy Mayor for Immigration, Beatriz Ponce De Leon, and Parks head, Rosa Escareno tempers flared in the unbearable heat, and while there was some who felt blindsided by the announcement, it was also clear that many had not read, or were unaware of Tuesday’s letter.
Petitions had been circulated against the transition by Ginger Williams, executive director of Edgewater Village, whose office in the building will close.
it was clear that the massed officials had prepared a tightly organized presentation, replete with handouts on the details of the planned 6 month shelter conversion, and the ubiquitous Power Point presentation giving targeted bullet points to the assembled crowd, on three separate screens; but, that was not enough to quell the mumbling and the comments, including, the familiar shouts of “shame”, so much so that those trying to speak from the top table had to ask to be respected.
When the move in date was announced, also on the handouts that attendees were given, on August 1st, the noise level increased and groans were heard, and more people screaming shame, and feet stomping on the floor, and taunts of ‘you sold us out!”
Hoppenworth and Ponce De Leon were targeted in this verbal onslaught, but kept their cool, as they and others including Chicago Deputy Police Chief Stephen Chung assured the community that there would be security within, and without for the expected 350 families to be sheltered and that those who would break the rules would be removed to another shelter. At that the crowd seemed to calm a bit more, and bit by bit, looking at the nodding heads and murmurs of support, it became apparent that there was much support for the plan, but the vocal minority got the most attention.
It was also noted that there was a visible police appearance by some stern faced, and beefy policemen; but, no one was handcuffed and taken away, at least not when we were present.
Chicago’s declaration of being a sanctuary city has been used to score political points by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, as well as Florida Governor Ron De Santis, to bus these migrants to Northern liberal cities, using people, mostly from Venezuela’s economic disasters: the lowered price of oil, as the world’s third largest oil reserve, political change of leadership, resulting along with corruption and repression, against those that opposed him, in a rigged win by Nicholas Maduro, including Juan Guido, (who was swept aside as the duly elected president), and with the rising inflation, over 1,946 percent, residents fled, to the United States through Mexico, and crossing the dangerous Darien Gap into Central America and Mexico, some drowning,many on foot, and with small children, and babies in tow.
Once at a port of entry, many lingered in Texas, and other border states as asylum seekers to await trial dates, often far from those locations. Those that were lucky enough to have friends or relatives here, were able to go to those locations.
The Armory will help those residents with work visa applications, family reunification, mental and physical health care.
While some programming will move to other locations, mostly youth athletics, adult athletics, will, or have, had their last sessions, but the senior congregate hot lunch will continue, as well as some services on the second floor ballroom, youth athletics will move to Margate Park, less than 3 miles away, and some to the Peterson Gymnastics Center further West.
These facts did appease many present, but not all, and the yellow signs stopped waving, although for some, nothing was enough.
Ponce De Leon noted that “This community is a rich community of multiple identities and ethnicities, people who love their community. It is hard for us to repurpose space, but these are the times we’re living in.”
Her statement was met with cheers and boos.
The heat intensified with the comments and question session, as people began to line up to the microphone they were cautioned, in the interest of time, they were limited to one minute and their mics would be turned off, if they exceeded. And, many were.
While many comments focused on the need for compassion, others became politically partisan: “Where is the mayor, Brandon Johnson, he should be here, after all this is his baby!”
“Put ‘em up in the Hyatts, our billionaire governor can do that!”
These were the comments that could be printed, there were others, but there was also much support, from an elderly Asian woman, of the Chinese Mutual Aid Association who begged for compassion, food, and shelter for the newcomers.
Presently, there are 950 families and individuals sleeping on the floor of some police stations.
Others, like Pat Sharkey of the Coalition of the Edgewater Neighbors Block Association, an umbrella organization, and one of the organizers of the protest said she supported the idea of the Armory being a welcome center, and not to take programs for at risk youth, prompting us to recall the acronym, N.I.M.B.Y, not in my backyard, when efforts to help the less fortunate are considered in neighborhoods across the country.
She noted that “the process was a disaster, and that she and others “waited patiently for a discussion with the administration” that did not happen.
Another resident said, “I think this is an opportunity for this community to show some compassion.
Hoppenworth noted that while she was disappointed with the closed-door process, but instead wanted one with the community, and added that while she disagreed with the process, she does “agree" with” the mission of supporting new arrivals wholeheartedly.”
