Energy grows at 'Take Back Chicago' march and rally on Veterans Day 2014
Despite unpleasant weather, the energy of the more than 1,000 people from all over Chicago who showed up for the highly publicized "Take Back Chicago" march and rally on November 11, 2014 grew as the group marched past City Hall to the Chicago Temple.
Despite the unpleasant weather, the march from the Thompson Center past the County Building to the Chicago Temple church at Washington and Clark St. resulted in a large crowd at the church. Speakers outlined the grievances of the people against the current administration's priorities. The signs against the wall (above) listed the various communities that were represented during the march and rally. Substance photo by Jean Schwab.There were as many as 1200-1500 people at the Take back Chicago rally by the time the crowd reached the Chicago Temple, according to Chicago Teachers Union spokesperson Debby Pope. A group of speakers outlined the problems facing average people in the city and created what amounted to a bill of particulars against the administration of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Topics included A Fair Minimum Wage $15 an hour (even for temp workers and restaurant workers dependent on tips), the elected school board, and many community issues.
The elected school board is being called "A Voice in our children's education -Elected School Board..."
Other recent so-called "reforms" were also denounced because of the way they have hurt poor and working people and the majority of Chicago communities.
One target of the protests is the hypocrisy of so-called "housing reform," which was begun under the Clinton administration and resulted in the defunding and destruction of much of Chicago's public housing. A target of the protests is the Chicago Housing Authority, which destroyed thousands of units of what was once public housing. The CHA, under the Daley administration, displaced families from public housing and rendered many homeless.
Displaced families were supposed to be placed in mixed income communities, and were supposed to receive other assistance. Most of those displaced were children living with single mothers. Speakers demanded Immediate changes in Chicago Housing Authority policies. According to the speakers, the CHA is stockpiling millions of federal funding rather than using it to help the homeless and those displaced by "housing reform". Speakers said that the money CHA has in the bank enough to issue 13,000 housing vouchers. The demand, like the demand for the elected school board, is to make the CHA accountable to the people.
Second Ward alderman Bob Fioretti joined the marchers and took part in the rally at the church. Above, Fioretti joins Substance reporter Jean Schwab and Hanson Park teacher outside the church while Jackson Potter of the CTU staff talks with friends in the background. Substance photo by Jim Schwab.Rahm Emanuel's attack on the city's health system was also discussed. A speaker talked about the six mental Health Clinics that have been closed, demanding that the city reopen all six, join at least 1 Medicaid network, and increase staffing in the city budget. According to speakers, at this time there are no full time psychiatrists in our clinics.
KOCO spokesperson, MS A. Jackson, talked about the Dyett High School situation. Currently, the school, which is being "phased out" has a lack of teachers(only for the handful of student remaining. Most classes have to be taken -- all art,music classes on line.
According to organizers, nineteen organizations participated in Take Back Chicago, including the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, KOCO, CTU, Bronzeville Alliance, CTU, Action Now, and a number of community organizations.
Because of the weather the people met at the Chicago Temple Sanctuary which was packed-even the balcony. Tim Meegan (running for 33rd Ward alderman) and Bob Fioretti (running for mayor) were also present. Mary Nelson reported that she spent three years homeless and right now there are 10,000 homeless families in Chicago. Much of the homelessness has been caused by "housing reform," which destroyed much of public housing and replaced it with promises that have never been kept.
Chants included "Take Back Chicago!" and "Whose city? Our city!"
"Election Day has passed, and we've had both wins and losses," said a Chicago Teachers Union statement, "but we and our allies remain strongly committed to our vision for this city � fully funded and resourced neighborhood schools, the protection of affordable housing and public sector employment, retirement security and a livable wage."
