IC-SS Weekly News: June 12, 2023
June 27: Donate Items, Socialize with Us!
Want to help asylum seekers and community members in our area? Join with friends and neighbors at Invisible Chicago-South Side’s Donation Social.
On Tuesday, June 27, 6:00-8:00 pm, we’re holding a social gathering in a Hyde Park home. (And, if the weather’s nice, we can eat, drink, and visit in the yard.)
We’ll serve a light meal with wine and beer and invite folks to bring beverages and treats if they wish.
Together, we’ll reconnect and gather much-needed items for asylum seekers sleeping at Chicago police stations and community members in need. RSVP here to get the address.
We are asking people to bring any of the following items:
- New/packaged underwear (men’s especially needed)
- New socks
- New or gently used/clean duffle bags, backpacks, or small, carry-on suitcases.
RSVP here, and we’ll respond with the location of our Donation Social. Thank you, and see you soon!
Trump Indictment: Be a Digital Messenger
Are you on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn? With last week’s news about the Trump indictment, now is a good time to speak out. DemCast helps you use your social media to push back on right-wing messaging.
From DemCast: We need to get ahead of right-wing spin and disinformation about the federal indictment of Donald Trump.
Special Prosecutor Jack Smith on Friday. Use DemCast toolkit to fight disinfo.
Digital messengers: Use this DemCast toolkit and/or these talking points from the Not Above the Law Coalition and the Research Collaborative / ASO Communications. Use your online reach to spread the truth and hold Trump accountable.
This Thurs: 2nd District Council Meeting
The 2nd police district covers much of Bronzeville, Kenwood, Hyde Park, and Washington Park. Live there? District Councilors Julia Kline, Alexander Perez, and Ephraim Lee invite you to attend the June meeting of the 2nd District Council at King College Prep, 4445 S. Drexel: Thursday, June 15th, 6:30-8:00 pm (doors open 6:00). Register here.
To follow the work of the 2nd District Council:
- Attend the Thurs. June 15 meeting of the 2nd District Council: Register here.
- Visit the 2nd District Council website.
- See the 2nd District council webpage at the City of Chicago website.
Need to check which district you live in? Find your police district and get info on your elected District Council.
- Find your police district (and ward) on this WBEZ interactive map. Or use this form on the CPD website.
- Get info on all 22 of Chicago’s District Councils on this City of Chicago webpage.
Blue Thurs. Political Happy Hour: June 15
Citywide Indivisible Chicago Alliance announces an event: Understanding the Asylum Seekers Crisis.
Indivisible Chicago writes: Chicago is scrambling to care for thousands of asylum seekers sent here without notice by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. As Mayor Johnson gets up to speed and the City Council settles in, Chicago’s welcome so far has relied heavily on volunteers and community groups.
Is it working? Is our Sanctuary City meeting the moment? What else needs to be done? What can Indivisibles do to help?
We’ll chew on these questions and more with Madison Savedra, who’s been covering the story for Block Club Chicago, and Juan-Antonio Montesinos, a leader of the Chicago Volunteer Police Station Response Team.
Blue Thursday is Indivisible Chicago’s monthly political mixer at the coolest bar in town: The Hideout at 1354 W. Wabansia. We imbibe, we schmooze, and we hear from smart people about important things. All are welcome and admission is free, but please sign up so we know to expect you.
Doors at 5 PM, program at 6. If you can’t join us in person, watch the live stream at Indivisible Chicago’s Facebook page, or catch the broadcast Saturday 6/17 on WCPT 820, Chicago’s Progressive Talk.
Expand the Court – Contact Our Reps!
From national Indivisible: The Supreme Court, which is stacked with MAGA justices hand-picked by Republicans and dark money groups, is completely out of control. The only way to save our rights is to expand the Supreme Court by passing the Judiciary Act of 2023. Every issue we care about is at risk with this conservative MAGA majority in power at the Court. We must act now to unrig our courts before it’s too late.
The Judiciary Act of 2023 provides the most urgent solution to a Supreme Court that has been captured by conservative extremists. This bill would add four additional justices to the bench and undo the decades of conservative court-packing that got us into this mess. Read more here.
ACT: Let’s contact our reps! We need to make sure our elected leaders actively support the Judiciary Act of 2023 and get them on board as co-sponsors of this legislation. Indivisible provides this convenient action page to help you connect with YOUR Illinois senators and representatives.
Organizations and Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Tomorrow: City Council Action Team Launch
From Sierra Club Illinois Chapter: Sierra Club Chicago is launching our City Council Action Team, and we want you to join! This launch event will be our chance to decide our agenda for Sierra Club’s City Council Action Team on what issues we will lobby our alders and organize our communities around. We will also begin to organize our Action Teams ward by ward with members and leaders for each Team.
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, June 13, 7:00-8:00 pm
INFO & RSVP: Info/Registration
Tomorrow: How SCOTUS Is Dividing America
From Brennan Center for Justice:Attend a free online panel session on SCOTUS. The most extreme Supreme Court in decades is on the verge of changing the nation — again. In 2022, the Court’s conservative super-majority radically loosened gun safety laws, overturned the constitutional right to abortion, and limited the federal government’s power to fight climate change.
Next up: redistricting, voting rights, and affirmative action — and the potential to fundamentally alter how the country deals with racial justice. How did we get here? How will overreach by the justices impact the 2024 election? And what can we do to protect American democracy from a deeply political, fiercely partisan Supreme Court?
Get free tickets to the online livestream of Brennan Center’s panel discussion on the Supreme Court: Tuesday, June 13, at 5 pm CT/6 pm ET. (Note: Brennan Center offers tickets for purchase for the Iive event in NYC, but the Iivestream tickets are free.)Info/Get free ticket.
South Shore CBA Summit – June 24
From Not Me We: In February, 88% of South Shore voters supported the referendum for a CBA ordinance. [CBA = Community Benefits Agreement. See details at South Side Weekly and Obama CBA Coalition website.] Mayor Johnson supports the ordinance, and 5th Ward Alderman Desmon Yancy has committed to moving the bill forward.
On Saturday, June 24, join Not Me We and the CBA Coalition at the CBA Summit to hear about the impact of displacement on our neighbors in South Shore, read and discuss the full text of the CBA housing ordinance before it is submitted to City Council, and learn how you can join the fight against displacement.
WHEN: Saturday June 24, 12:00-3:00 pm
WHERE: South Shore United Methodist Church, 7350 S. Jeffery Blvd
NOTE: Ald. Yancy has confirmed he will attend. Food & childcare will be provided.
INFO: See Facebook event.
Help Asylum Seekers & Local People in Need
How to help People in South Side Police Districts 2 & 3:
- Volunteer to drive meals! Pick up prepared meals (breakfast or dinner) in Lawndale and drive the meals to District 2 or 3 police stations. Get info and sign up.
- Volunteer to donate and deliver a lunch or hearty snack. Get info and sign up.
- Contact Julia Kline (text 773-398-2280) to arrange a donation of most-needed items*. Right now, Julia is asking people to donate or lend large storage items to help volunteers organize the clothing and supplies that have already been collected:
- Clothing racks (greatest need)
- Shelving units
- Plastic storage boxes
- Milk crates, shoe racks, or other types of storage units
- Hangers
- Come to our Donation Social on June 27! See feature at beginning of this newsletter.
*Note: Depending on need, some items will be donated to community residents staying at local shelters as well as to new arrivals staying at police stations.
How to help People at Police Stations across Chicago:
- Donate funds to the Chicago Police Station Response Team webpage on the Open Collective website.
- Buy needed items on the Amazon wishlist administered by Instituto del Progeso Latino and shared by the City of Chicago.
- And check out this list of ways to help, compiled by South Side Weekly.
Newsletter Notes
SUBSCRIBE: Did someone forward this newsletter to you? If you’d like to subscribe and get our newsletter every Monday morning, click here to subscribe.
SUGGEST: Got an event or resource to suggest for the newsletter? Email us here.
