IC-SS Weekly News: December 4, 2023
NEW DATE: Panel on Migrant Crisis
From Indivisible Illinois: NEW DATE! Join Indivisible Illinois Monday, December 18th at 6:30pm on Zoom for a discussion panel on the Migrant Crisis: Causes, Challenges, and Solutions. By understanding the causes, challenges, and potential solutions, we hope to foster empathy, cooperation, and informed decision-making in addressing this global issue.
The panelists are Rep. Delia Ramirez – U.S. Congresswoman, IL03; Fred Tsao – Senior Policy Counsel, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant Refugee Rights; and Dr. Janice Jayes – Professor of History specializing in Human Movement in a World of Nation-States, Illinois State University.
To attend the Migrant Crisis: Causes, Challenges, and Solutions webinar on Zoom, Mon Dec. 18th (NEW DATE), 6:30 pm, register here.
Indivisible Chicago Alliance – 2023
Ever wonder about all the different Indivisible groups? We’re Indivisible Chicago-South Side, a local group affiliated with the citywide Indivisible Chicago Alliance (ICA).
Both groups are associated with statewide Indivisible Illinois and nationwide Indivisible, although not directly under their leadership.
This past weekend, citywide ICA held a holiday gathering, and each local group was able to invite a few of its most active volunteers. Thanks to those who were able to attend: Esther Peters, Kathleen Atlass, Sarah Lincoln, Sophia Watson, Steve Kagan, and Teri Watkins. See if you can find all six in the ICA party photo below.
ICA holiday party (photo: Denise Poloyac)
Party-goers got to watch special video messages from Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Rep Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Ben Wikler (chair of Wisconsin Democrats), and local leaders from Michigan and Wisconsin.
It’s good to celebrate together, take a break, and get strong for the year ahead. With the MAGA GOP pushing to turn the United States into an oppressive autocracy, let’s be ready to work together in 2024 to protect our rights, our freedoms, and our lives.
Defend Democracy – Resist Autocracy
We’ve got our eyes open to the threat posed not only by Donald Trump but by all his MAGA backers in Congress and powerful groups like the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation. Join the fight – stay in the fight!
Understand the Threat – And Find Hope
Learn about the far-right Project 2025
- Project 2025: The Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism – by the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE) Jessica Corbett, Common Dreams|
- Analysis Exposes Trumpian Project 2025 as Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism – by Jessica Corbett, Common Dreams
Read about some of Trump & allies’ plans for imposing an authoritarian regime.
- Trump’s Recipe for a Shockingly Raw Power Grab by Jack Shafer, Politico
Follow political analyst, strategist, and commentator Simon Rosenberg, whose blog and podcast are called Hopium Chronicles.
Rosenberg writes: “Hopium is a rejection of the darkness [MAGA leaders] are trying to spread. It is a way of standing up for our great country and its remarkable people. It is the key to how we win.” (You can subscribe for free for limited access or pay for increased access.)
Please feel free to suggest other authors, organizations, or articles to share.
Get Active
2024 is right around the corner. Whether you have a lot of time or a little, you can help protect our democracy and prevent autocracy. Some options:
- Get involved with Indivisible Chicago-South Side – find events and actions in our weekly newsletter (this!) and follow us on Facebook
- Indivisible Chicago-South Side is a local chapter of the Indivisible Chicago Alliance (ICA). Learn more at the Indivisible Chicago Alliance website & sign up for ICA Daily Actions (M-F each week) and other alerts
- Follow national Indivisible at the Indivisible website
- Follow Swing Left at the Swing Left website
- Follow Sister District at the Sister District website
Organizations and Opportunities
Indivisible Chicago-South Side shares information and actions from other organizations on issues important in our country, state, city, and communities.
Sen. Peters Implores Us to Reject Xenophobia
From State Senator Robert Peters in the Sun-Times: “Being a sanctuary city is a demonstration of Chicago’s principles: We welcome immigrants and respect their humanity. The notion that repealing it will somehow stop the flow of migrants or give us moral “cover” to bus them to other cities is nonsense…
“No matter your background, embracing Trumpist racism, xenophobia and isolationism won’t stop with the current wave of asylum-seekers. Instead, if the Chicago City Council takes the bait and validates Trumpism in one arena, it gives his ideology life and the ability to spread to people and places he’s never had access to before.”
Read Senator Peters’ full op-ed: Chicago must remain a sanctuary city because ‘that is who we are’
This Thursday: Building a Welcoming Future
From ICIRR: On Thursday, December 7th at 12:00 noon, ICIRR is hosting an online community panel discussion Building a Welcoming Future: Caring for All. Leaders who’ve worked on the ground in Black & Brown communities will discuss current tensions and how to build solidarity to create a society that cares for everyone.
To be livestreamed at ICIRR’s Facebook page and on YouTube. Sign up here for reminders and links to the event.
Panelists include Rev. Julian DeShazier (Senior Pastor, University Church), Andrea Ortiz-Landin (Director of Organizing, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council), Dixon Romeo (Executive Director, Not Me We), and Fasika Alem (Programs Director, United African Organization). Sign up here.
For a Ceasefire: Phonejam Power Hour with APHA
From IC-SS member Susan Avila: The American Public Health Association (APHA), the largest public health association in the United States, has called for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. One of the sponsors of the American Public Health Association’s resolution was Rachel Rubin, an Indivisible Chicago-South Side member.
Join APHA’s Palestine Health Justice Working Group on Zoom this Wednesday, December 6th at 7:00 pm CT for a Phone Jam Power Hour to jam Congressional phone lines for a permanent ceasefire. Participants will be calling on public health professionals, healthcare workers, and concerned persons to call for a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Palestine now. Register here.
Donate – Concord MB Church Winter Clothing Drive
From Concord MB Church: Concord MB Church, at 6319 S. Kimbark, is asking for donations of new or clean and gently used hats, gloves, scarves, boots, and winter coats.(Please donate these items only.)
100% of your donations will be given to Woodlawn’s homeless and to asylum seekers staying in Wadsworth School or elsewhere in the district. To arrange drop-off:
- Email cmbc6319@gmail.com or info@chicago4all.org
- Call 773-363-1377 (this is an office phone; not for texting)
Give to the RonnieMan Holiday Toy Drive
The ninth annual RonnieMan Holiday Toy Drive is underway. The toy drive is organized by founder Dorothy Holmes, whose son Ronald “RonnieMan” Johnson III was killed by a police officer in 2014. Get the full story in this Block Club Chicago story.
Read Block Club Chicago’s toy drive story
Ways to give to the RonnieMan Toy Drive:
- Drop off unwrapped new toys or gift cards for young teens at Chicago Torture Justice Center, 6337 S. Woodlawn or other locations.
- Donate to the RonnieMan Toy Drive’s GoFundMe.
- Buy items from the drive’s Amazon wish list.
- Get more info in the Block Club Chicago story.
