IC-SS Weekly News: July 10, 2023
Defend Democracy: Ohio, Wisconsin
To protect democracy in the United States, we must fight for democracy IN the states. This month, we’re focused on Ohio and Wisconsin. Will you write and phone with us?
Letter Parties Start Next Week – Sign Up!
Starting next week, defend democracy with your pen. Join our Vote Forward leader Steve Kagan and IC-SS friends to write letters to Ohio voters about their state’s anti-democracy measure (Issue 1) on the summer ballot.
See friends old and new at the Nile on July 19 + 26, write letters with us! Will you write with us? We’ll meet on Wednesday, July 19 and Wednesday, July 26, 6:00-8:00 pm at the Nile Restaurant outdoor patio (indoors if weather is bad). Sign up here.
We’ll provide a few appetizers for the table and encourage everyone to support the Nile by purchasing their own meals and soft drinks. The Nile is BYOB, so feel free to bring your favorite wine or beer. If you can, bring along first-class stamps for the letters. Most important, bring yourself!
Get on Zoom with Friends to Phone Voters
Phonebank with Indivisible Chicago Alliance (ICA). This month, Indivisible Chicago Alliance is phoning voters in Ohio and in Wisconsin. You’ll jump on Zoom to get clear training and ongoing support from friendly ICA leaders – like Sarah Lincoln!
Learn more and sign up for ICA’s July phonebanks:
1. OHIO: Tomorrow, Tues. July 11th and Tues. July 18th from 5-7 pm CT. Phone Ohio voters to tell them to vote no on Issue 1. Get info, sign up
2. WISCONSIN:Saturday, July 15 from 12-2 or 2-4 pm CT. Phone Wisconsin voters to flip a seat from red to blue in a special election. Get info, sign up
Yes to the Tampa 5 – No to DeSantisWednesday, July 12th, 6:00 pm, Federal Plaza: Rally to Defend the Tampa 5. IC-SS and Indivisible Chicago Alliance will be joining the rally organized by the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) in support of the Tampa 5.
In March, five University of South Florida (USF) students were arrested at a protest against MAGA Governor DeSantis’s policy to prohibit spending on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. These students face charges that could result in imprisonment.
CAARPR – a chapter of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression – demands that charges be dropped against the college students — and that all political prisoners be freed. Read more about the rally on the NAARPR website and on CAARPR’s Facebook Event page.
See you at Federal Plaza this Wednesday, July 12, 6:00 pm!
Our City – Stay Informed, Speak Up
Elections matter. But once the candidates we voted for are in office, our work continues! Stay informed about the work of the Mayor, Alderpeople, and District Councilors.
Mayor’s Report: A Blueprint for Chicago
Mayor Johnson’s transition report has just been released
Keep up with Mayor Johnson and City Hall. Voice your opinion!
- Learn about Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition report, a road map for the next four years in the Sun-Times story.
- Read the Mayor’s 223-page transition report here: Building Bridges and Growing the Soul of Chicago: A Blueprint
- Share your opinions with the Mayor or your alderperson
Thursday: Public Meeting, 2nd District Council
The 2nd police district covers much of Bronzeville, Kenwood, Hyde Park, and Washington Park. District Councilors Julia Kline, Alexander Perez, and Ephraim Lee invite you to attend their monthly meetings and voice your ideas and concerns.
2nd District Councilors Julia Kline, Alexander Perez, Ephraim LeeThis week! Attend thepublic meeting of the 2nd District Council this Thursday, July 13th, 6:30-8:00 pm (doors open at 6:00) at King College Prep, 4445 S. Drexel. Register here. (And read the 2nd District Council’s July newsletter.)
Not sure which police district you live in and want to know more about YOUR District Council?
- Understand how Chicago’s new District Councils are working for public safety and police accountability.
- Find your police district on the WBEZ interactive map or use the CPD form.
- Get information about YOUR District Council & their meeting dates. Scroll to list at this page.
Dire Situation: Help Asylum SeekersIn the news – and at our recent Donation Social in Hyde Park – we’ve been hearing about the desperate situation of asylum seekers sleeping in police stations* because there are not enough shelters to provide them with housing or food.
Brenda Delgado, volunteer leader for district 2, calls for volunteers & funding
VOLUNTEER: Volunteer for the District 2 Chicago Police Station Response team: Volunteer Guide.
DONATE: Support the all-volunteer Chicago Police Station Response Team here.
Reports of Police Abuse
By now you’ve read the horrific reports of rape and sexual abuse of asylum seekers by police officers at a West Side police station. The Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) and the District Councils should have been informed the moment CPD became aware of the reports.
We call on Mayor Johnson to ensure an outside investigation is conducted of these reports — CPD cannot investigate itself. Please contact the Mayor and your alderperson on this matter.
NOTE: We don’t know how long Chicago will continue to place migrants in police stations. The City is working to create shelters and place people in housing. In any case, we’re certain that volunteer efforts to help asylum seekers will continue.
Organizations and OpportunitiesIndivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Helping Asylum Seekers? Get Interviewed!From Chiara Galli:Are you volunteering or working with newly arrived asylum-seekers in Chicago? Share your perspective and experience for a study on the reception of asylum-seekers in Chicago!
Professor Galli speaking with us recently about asylum seekersDr Galli continues: We are conducting a study to learn about the reception of asylum-seekers in Chicago. Our two goals:
1. To understand how local residents, community leaders, organizations, and city officials view and are responding to the arrival of asylum-seekers in Chicago.
2. To understand the experiences of asylum seekers in Chicago.
To find out more and volunteer for the study, read Chiara Galli’s information flyer with details and contact information.Thanks again to UChicago Assistant Professor Chiara Galli for speaking to us recently about asylum seekers. Her new book is Precarious Protections: Unaccompanied Minors Seeking Asylum in the United States.
July 20: Blue Thursday Fun Fest 
From Blue Beginning chapter of Indivisible Chicago Alliance: We’re putting the political talk aside this month for an evening of political entertainment at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia.
Guests include actor-activist Carla Stillwell, beatbox harmonica whiz Yuri Lane, our comrade Jon Langford, and comedy from our longtime friends in the Chicago improv community.
On Thursday, July 20th, mix and mingle starting at 5:00, show begins at 6:00. All are welcome, admission is free, but please RSVP here.
Blue Thursday is Blue Beginning’s monthly political mixer at the Hideout, the coolest bar in town. If you can’t join us in person, watch the livestream on the Indivisible Chicago Alliance Facebook page or catch the recorded version on 820 WCPT, Chicago’s Progressive Talk.
Newsletter NotesSUBSCRIBE: 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.
Indivisible Chicago-South Side
Email: Indiv.Chi.South@gmail.com
Follow IC-SS on Facebook, Twitter, Mastodon, Post
Co-Leaders: Sarah Lincoln, Esther Peters,
Betsy Rubin, Teri Watkins
About: Group & Co-Leader Statements
