Ramirez Abruptly Attacked and Harassed
Alderwoman Julia Ramirez and her aide made an appearance at the migrant crisis protest. Which took place in the community of Brighton Park on Tuesday morning, October 19. Her intention was to listen to the concerns that residents had about the proposed plan and to also clear up any misinformation about her involvement in the plan. She was going to the protest to have peaceful communication with the residents.
However, shortly after, once the majority recognized her, she and her aide started being attacked. People were yelling and aggressively demanded answers from her, they were throwing signs in her face, screaming, grabbing her and shoving themselves against her, as police officers were trying to break up the crowd of people around them. They both had to be escorted out of the protest to safety by police.
Residents in the community are clearly very upset and angry to learn about the plan that the city had intended to conduct in the community. They are protesting to protect the community against the plan that Mayor Brandon Johnson had to help the incoming immigrants. However with violence, it is definitely unacceptable. Ramirez made statements regarding the incident, she mentioned, “I hear my residents and want them to know I will always advocate for their safety and ensure our communities have the resources they deserve. I also respect everyone’s right to peacefully protest, however violence and hate is not the answer.”
The Brighton Park Tent Camp Plan
The plan was to create and establish a site near 38th Street and California Avenue for temporary shelter to the new arrivals in the city of Chicago. A lot of them are upset because they learned about this plan from the news outlets and not directly from the Alderwoman or a city Official.
However, they are not just furious for how they heard about the news, but also because they are totally against it. They do not want under any circumstance for the new arrivals to have their tent camp site in the lot where it was first proposed.
Community Concerned for Their Safety
Most of the community is concerned for their safety because they have expressed that by bringing an untold number of migrants into the neighborhood it can increase crime and lower property values. Overall, the community gathered, it was mostly Latino and Asian and they were all holding signs that read:
- “Protect our community.”
- “We will not feel safe.”
- “No camps in Brighton Park.”
- “No one told us, we learned from the News.”
- “How can we be represented, if we are not informed,” and many more.
Violence is Not the Answer
Many residents have stated that they feel like they have been stabbed in the back by Chicago Officials, they feel betrayed. Especially by Ramirez that is the alderwoman of that specific ward. However, it is understandable that the community has concerns and is angry but they should not have gotten to the point of physical aggression towards an elected official, like Johnson mentioned.
The situation in Chicago migrant crisis is already very overwhelming. Additionally, Brighton Park resident Jacquelyn Zuniga claimed, “Chicago wants to help, but we don’t have the resources to help…We’re struggling. We have veterans that we’re concerned about. Our vets and out homeless in America need to be prioritized over those of another country.”
Ramirez understands the concerns and why people feel like this. Nonetheless, it is truly disappointing that she is willing to engage directly with the community. She is willing to listen and to advocate for the community, where she also grew up. To then immediately get treated this way. The city of Chicago is already doing everything possible but the community needs to express their concerns more effectively in any case scenario.
Written by Jeanette Sanchez
Sources:
abc7: Alderwoman swarmed, harassed during protest amid Chicago migrant crisis
Block Club Chicago: Alderwoman “Attacked” At Protest Over Brighton Park Migrant Tent Camp
Chicago Sun times: Protesters attack Ald. Julia Ramirez and an aide over tents for asylum-seekers
CBS News: Ald. Julia Ramirez, aide “victims of a physical attack” over migrant tent camp plans in Chicago
Chicago Tribune: Ald. Julia Ramirez swarmed at protest over construction of migrant tent city in Brighton Park
Featured Image Courtesy of Michael Kappel Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Joi Ito Flickr Page-Creative Commons License
