Thursday, January 11 - Protect migrants in Chicago / Call for a Permanent Ceasefire
Actions You Can Take
Action 1: Sign a petition to protect new arrivals in Chicago
Action 2: Call on your Senators and Representative to call for a ceasefire in Gaza
Senator Duckworth | DC: 202-224-2854 | Chicago 312-886-3506 | Email Sen. Duckworth or call another office
Senator Durbin | DC: 202-224-2152 | Chicago 312-353-4952 | Email Sen. Durbin or call another office
Action 1: Protect Migrants in Chicago
We must speak out against the City’s plan to force 1,400 newly arrived adults and children currently residing in shelters to the streets. In November, the City of Chicago and State of Illinois announced the end of rental assistance and the beginning of a 60-day limit to shelter stays for all people entering shelters after November 17. The 60-day mark is approaching for hundreds of people next week. After traumatic journeys and political exploitation by Texas, Chicago is now leaving hundreds in fear for their basic health and safety.
The plan of cycling people through a ‘Landing Zone’ is not only unrealistic but is deeply dangerous as we hit the coldest temperatures of this winter. The Landing Zone, where migrants can request shelter, is currently an outdoor parking lot filled with CTA warming buses instead of the proper intake center that the State promised to build. Already more than 500 people are sheltering on these buses without running water or adequate food.
The City of Chicago must allow individuals currently in shelter to remain there without threat of eviction until the promised TPS/EAD (Temporary Protected Status and Employment Authorization Document) workshops are completed and temperatures rise to safe levels for extended exposure.
We call on the State to re-distribute the $65 million earmarked for the widely unpopular and now-failed basecamps to open 2k beds through other means, such as the Unity Initiative, or other small, non-congregate solutions as well as expanded rental funding. City-run shelters are at risk of closing soon given the inadequate budget allocated by City Council. We cannot use the excuse that there is no appetite for the State to fund this further when there is money already allocated.
We call on our State senators and representatives to build political will for funding this essential care in the spring budget. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity whilst waiting on the federal government.
We call on the County to lead a coordinated regional approach to this crisis and to mobilize municipalities with already allocated funds to put them to use in serving those arriving from Texas, many of whom are disembarking in areas throughout the county.
Action via 30th Ward Neighbors United
Action 2: Demand a Permanent Ceasefire
The ongoing Israeli bombardment and blockade in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 23,000 Palestinians, roughly 1% of the entire population. We understand that our members and those who share our progressive values may have different and deeply held views about the Middle East. At the same time, we are united by our shared humanity.
Israel continues to attack areas in southern Gaza that are already overflowing with refugees pushed out from the north, worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The UN World Food Programme says half of Gaza’s population is starving. More than 90% of Palestinians say they have gone without food for a whole day.
We urge our members of Congress to support an immediate ceasefire, to ensure humanitarian aid to residents of Gaza, to continue to demand the release of all hostages, and to block US military aid to Israel that would cause additional civilian deaths in Gaza. Please join us by contacting your Representative, and Senators Duckworth and Durbin with these same demands. Call them daily—it makes a difference!
Senator Duckworth | DC: 202-224-2854 | Chicago 312-886-3506 | Email Sen. Duckworth or call another office
Senator Durbin | DC: 202-224-2152 | Chicago 312-353-4952 | Email Sen. Durbin or call another office
While some of these Daily Actions come from our own work as Indivisible Chicago Alliance, others are from our many partners working to advance the progressive agenda. We invite you to join us in supporting their work. Postings from partners do not imply Indivisible Chicago Alliance endorsement of specific policies and positions.