π§΅1/ struggle is messy because messy is inherent to humanity. We are all in our journeys to heal and carrying lots of pain and trauma with us. This election cycle was real hard. I acknowledge that I still feel resentment that I will work through. What Iβm not going to do is
Just for clarity: teachers are not being paid right now. They are not collecting unemployment or being βpaid to stay home.β Locked out teachers are not being paid and some teachers have told me they have been unable to use their health insurance because they show up as βinactiveβ
All we have available is repression, punishment and surveillance. There is no other plan. There is no empathy for pain and no plan to manage grief. There is police and there is military and there are guns, tasers, rubber bullets tear gas and cages. We deserve so much better.
BREAKING:
@GovPritzker
has activated the Illinois National Guard at the request of Mayor Lori Lightfoot "to support the Chicago Police Department with a verdict expected in the trial of Derek Chauvin," the former Minneapolis Police officer charged with the death of George Floyd.
I am at 51st and Wentworth station. After over 3 hours, lawyers were able to talk to Jennifer Pagan and Damon Williams. In every police station in the city, every person arrested is being denied access to counsel. This is a violation of the consent decree.
Update: The locker has been removed and there willl be no further installations of Amazon lockers on any parks until there is a review of the process. I am still waiting to receive the contractual agreement between Amazon and the Chicago Parks District.
π§΅A few things that didnβt make it in the article. 1. Amazon should not be occupying public space regardless of what they offer but we have to note that 137K is a slap in the face.
2.Corps like Amazon that donβt pay taxes impact our ability to fund public services, like parks.
Rich ppl crying rn. They tried so hard but Chicago donβt quit. This is a union town. GTFOH with that hate and privatization schemes. We ready to work alongside Brandon for a city that cares for everyone.
Sen.
@BernieSanders
was the first presidential candidate to stand with our teachers and school staff as they prepared to go on strike in Chicago.
For this and many other reasons, I'm proud to stand with him.
#NotMeUs
#Bernie2020
Hey Chicago, do us a favor. If you see cops anywhere in the city not wearing masks, go to this link and file a complaint with the office of the Inspector General. Give as much info as possible. It will help us make them comply.
Why are officers still not wearing masks? WHY!!!!! 11.8% COVID19 positivity rate. 1,461 daily cases and going up. This shouldnβt be hard. This is public safety.
@chicagosmayor
@ChiefDavidBrown
@Chicago_Police
π§΅Anthony Alvarez didnβt deserve to die. He deserved a good dignified life and to watch his baby grow. But Chicago Police killed him and now heβs not here. This kind of brutality doesnβt make us safe. It breaks families and communities. Police canβt be our public safety strategy.
This has been the story for decades and decades. This is a big part of what has us in this place. If all you fund is punishment and violence, thatβs what you will continue to create. We need structures of care urgently.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on her budget boosting funding for Chicago Police: βItβs my expectation that the police department budget will increase, no question. We have to.β
We canβt reform the police without defunding it. CPDβs budget is 1.7B The combined budget for Public Health, Family support services, libraries and more is 1B. Imagine the kind of support services we can have if we divest resources from punishment to funding basic human needs.
This is an important PSA: the US is not Puerto Ricoβs mainland. Puerto Rico is a colonized country. Puerto Rico is itβs own mainland. Thank you for your attention.
I just wanna make it clear that this man is not from Puerto Rico. He moved there to take advantage of an economic crisis and laws designed to exempt rich ppl from paying taxes. Heβs not from Dorado, heβs from somewhere in Ohio.
The budget of DC police is $568 million. Trump has been telling ppl to show up in DC for days. Everyone knew they would be there. We know very well what it looks like when police acts to stops protests and this was not it. There were no plans to contain this.
π§΅Iβve spent a good part of my morning handling the placement of an Amazon box at a park in my ward. On this instance apparently it was installed in the wrong spot & will be moved. But the fact that Amazon gets to use our public parks for this because of austerity is enraging.
To not care about the reasons means there is no interest in finding actual solutions. The only proposal is to make it go away using punishment and a racist prison system that destroys lives, families and communities. Breaking the cycle takes courage and political will.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Chicago looting: "I don't care, I do not care, whatever justification was given for this. There is no justification for criminal behavior, ever. You have no right to take and destroy the property of others. Our residents deserve to be safe."
I was born and raised in a US colony. I left home and became diaspora because of austerity and colonialism. My people in Puerto Rico are still surviving brutal conditions created by colonialism, capitalism and neoliberal policies. I donβt celebrate the 4th of July.
Today we got some calls where I was referred to as a b***h and w**re for speaking in support of protesters,
#DefundPolice
and against the Columbus statue. I just wanted to say that imma keep doing what Iβm doing and that Iβm grateful for all the love & support I receive everyday.
Chicago doesnβt need the National Guard. We need to meet the urgent needs of the people. We need good paying jobs, housing, social services, Medicare for all and a real safety net. We also need to dismantle white supremacy. Militarization is not the answer.
I wonder if the Mayor is proud of CPD for beating the hell out of BIPOC protesting white supremacy. How is it possible that a racist statue is more important than the safety and integrity of the Black, Brown and Indigenous bodies demanding justice?
Itβs coming down because of the activism that has led to this moment. Indigenous, Black and Brown people have been fighting for so long to see this happen. Itβs also a balancing act, the Mayor just accepted Federal Agents from Trump.
This is the first socialist caucus in the country. We did it in Chicago. Iβm so proud of the work we have been doing and I have so much hope for the fights ahead.
π§΅1/Brandon Johnson will come into the 5th floor with a team of progressive alders who will support him, a work with him to deliver the things we all have been running on and that our communities need. It is a new day because we are not in this with him in a transactional way.
Again. Teachers donβt want to be remote all year. CTU has been asking for two weeks remote to wait the spike out, set up real and robust testing protocols & vaccinations. Two weeks out can help create stability for the rest of the year if CPS does the work to protect schools.
1/2 A reminder that a clinical therapist salary with the City of Chicago starts at $76K but non-profits can pay as little as 42K.The City of Chicago is addressing our mental health crisis mostly through non-profit based care with a severely underpaid and overworked labor force.
This is a care room at a North Side elementary school β what Mayor Lightfoot and CPS have planned for reopening schools, and for children who show symptoms of COVID-19 during the day.
Yβall remember when we kicked Trump and his hateful bs out of Chicago? Thatβs the energy today. Letβs do it again for good and send it back to Palos Heights.
"Chicago taught me a very important lesson that I have never forgotten: Real change never takes place from the top on down; it always takes place from the bottom on up."
@BernieSanders
, same.
#ForTheMany
We are so lucky you were born Chairman Fred Hampton. We still miss you.
βWeβre going to fight racism not with racism, but weβre going to fight with solidarity.β
-Fred Hampton
This week is the time for every progressive in Chicago to get on board with Brandon Johnson & endorse. Heβs a true progressive running against Paul Vallas. There should not be a question about where to stand. We need yβall to bring your hands and hearts and win this together.
One of the biggest obstacles to real transformation is the idea that βright now, this is the best we can get.β Weβve been settling for way too long and itβs time to be bold and demand the most.
Momentum is on our side. Weβve done the work. We have been building this progressive coalition together struggle by struggle and itβs time for the last push to make it happen! Text/call/ shout everyone you know and make sure they come out and vote for Brandon! We are so close!
Sending all my love and solidarity to the CPS students walking out for safe conditions in theirs schools. S/O to the Roosevelt HS students joining the action. Iβm so proud of you.
On the anniversary of the murder of Laquan McDonald by a CPD officer, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is holding a hearing on Rahm Emmanuelβs appointment to US Ambassador in Japan. Some of us elected officials in Chicago decided to make our voices heard on the matter.
Just wanted to remind us that this Mayor talking about mental health was the same one that fought teachers and had them strike in the winter in order to get urgently needed social workers & nurses in schools. Thank you
@CTULocal1
. We stand with you.
*shared with permission*
Today is the second time CPD officers have removed parts of a memorial created to honor 22-year-old Anthony Alvarez who was killed by Officer Evan Solano in March.
You can hear the officer say, βwhereβs the attorney or does someone speak English?β
We need to put an end to pretextual traffic stops. We need a non police model to manage traffic issues. We need fully funded and implemented Treatment Not Trauma and Peace Book models. We need to care for and protect peopleβs lives.
I am from a colonized nation. Iβm very familiar with the way colonizers try to criminalize the language of liberation. All my solidarity with everyone who is being punished and persecuted for standing with the oppressed. Over 10k lives taken and no ceasefire. Itβs gut wrenching.
So proud that todayβs City Council voted to uplift the voices of Chicagoans calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza. I want to thank
@chicagosmayor
Brandon Johnson for taking a brave stance and standing up for peace
π§΅This morning on my way to City Hall there was a man having a mental health crisis on the blue line. We were in the same car. He was yelling loudly and throwing a phone on the floor over and over. He was shirtless and he was Black. I could see that people around were starting
By reopening schools right after the holidays CPS is not only putting everyone at risk, itβs also placing the burden of preventing spread on teachers and staff. This is dangerous and so unfair. I stand with teachers and staff fighting ( as always) for the most basic things.
Capitalism is so evil. Tax dollars spent on police to harass, abuse & criminalize people instead of investing to care for people by solving the social problem. Itβs sickening.
I wish the Mayor had some respect for teachers. To accuse the union who had to fight her to get nurses, social workers and protections for undocumented and unhoused students of βcausing chaosβ is beyond ludicrous.
Teachers are teaching and caring for students every day.
The faces of proud exhaustion at 2am after an incredible election night. We have a long 5 weeks to elect Brandon Johnson Mayor of Chicago and the rest of our squad. Iβm so grateful to be part of a real progressive movement that shows up to build the city we need and deserve.
Iβm still processing the fact that a man was shot by CPD for apparently moving between train cars. How is shooting an unarmed human being the default response to resisting arrest? This is disturbing and we have so much work to do to make sure it never happens again.
Students doing encampments against Genocide are the ones with the moral clarity this moment requires & anyone who believes in justice should stand w them. I support & stand in solidarity with the students at the University of Chicago and DePaul University
CPD is resistant to reform. New policies & training wont change the culture or how the institution interacts with our communities. Defunding the police and funding our lives and the healing of our communities is the only way to repair the harm and build a society worth living in.
Capitalism is evil and has no shame. We want a society where our people can actually retire and only do work that gives them joy and makes them healthy & whole.
π§΅This past summer I spent a lot of time going to police stations to support protesters who got arrested and beat up badly for protesting racist police violence. I witnessed people who I deeply love get seriously hurt. Hundreds of people were arrested.
I think Police shouldnβt conduct wellness checks. Thereβs a lot of other professionals better equipped to do that work. The fact that we spent millions of dollars on Police for βwellness checksβ ( a definition of what this means wasnβt provided) during a pandemic is disgraceful.
So CTA is not running and bridges are up and we expect people to be home for a curfew announced less than an hour before it goes into effect? Let people get home safe. This is ridiculous.
Ppl angry abt a slogan that speaks to the liberation of colonized ppl while they watch Israel commit genocide, bomb civilians, leaving ppl of all ages from babies to elderly dismembered is some intense gaslighting. Over 10K killed & many more lost under rubble. Go find your soul.
Hi community. Itβs summer Solstice and Pride month so I wanted to say Iβm queer and have that take some space. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
As the only progressive Latina in City Council Iβm deeply disappointed in Alderwoman King using her title as chair of our caucus to endorse Paul Vallas. Itβs shameful to see how all of Vallas ties to right wing actors/ideology gets conveniently swept under the rug. This is sad.
Here at a presser where
@aldsophiaking
is endorsing
@PaulVallas
for mayor in the runoff. King was a mayoral contender in the Feb. 28 election and chairs the City Councilβs Progressive Caucus.
She said βdonβt comeβ to people who are trying to keep their children alive. As if the US bears no responsibility on the realities so many Latin American countries are facing. She said that the US has been trying to βcollaborateβ with the zone for a long time. The nerve.
βI want to be clear to folks in this region who are thinking about making that dangerous trek to the United States-Mexico border: Do not come. Do not come.β
β VP Kamala Harris during news conference with Guatemalan president Alejandro Giammattei
My abortion was one of the most important health care interventions I had in my life. Iβm grateful I was able to have access at that time and Iβm committed to fighting like hell for the right of EVERYONE to have an abortion when they need it.
Lots of teachers had their appointments to get vaccinated cancelled and have described trying to get a shot as the hunger games. Very robust vaccination plan? Was it shared with teachers and staff?
This campaign was built by women. This campaign was built by LGBT people. This campaign was built by immigrants. This campaign was built by working people.
Tonight, we are in the lead. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of creating this moment.
#ForTheMany
What teachers are asking for a basic. Children and staff should be tested. Let parents opt out and do a universal testing program. Have vaccinations in schools. Allow a little time to get ready and let children connect online for a little bit. No one wants to shut down schools!
Today, if we see large numbers of working people all across the city of Chicago turn out and vote for
@Brandon4Chicago
, we can finally begin to create a government which invests in the needs of its people.
CHICAGO: the polls are open until 7 PM β VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
The therapist positions for CDPH have posted! Please apply! Salary start a little above 77K. We fought like hell for this positions and we want to fill them ASAP so we can expand services in our public menta health clinics. Please apply and share!
Here are two amazing organizations offering a safe place to stay tonight in case you couldnβt make it home. Chicago Freedom School at 719 s state St. and Grace Place at 637 S Dearborn St.
My exchange with Silverstein had the intent of centering the humanity of everyone impacted by this horrific violence. I wanted to share the last part of the exchange which got left out of the article. I really hope we find space for discussion that respects everyoneβs humanity.
Grateful that when I needed an abortion at 8 wks pregnant I was able to access the care I needed. I want the same for every person whoβs ever in the same position because the autonomy over our bodies is sacred. Abortion can be life saving health care. Solidarity w our TX siblings
NEWS: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned aldermen who might vote against her budget, βDonβt come to me for s--- for the next three yearsβ if they donβt support her spending plan, sources said. Their wards wonβt be prioritized either, she said.