My name is Sabrina Basquez, I am a resident of the 12th Ward and administrator of the Brighton Park Community Facebook page which has a membership of over 10,000 residents and one of the McKinley park community watch pages.
I went to the meeting tonight to bring up the following: first, it is apparent that prostitution near and among other migrant camps is rampant and increasing. The page has been sent multiple videos of migrants participating in prostitution. I cannot emphasize enough the safety concerns this means for the camp at 38/California. There are numerous elementary schools within direct walking distance of the camp. For the city to ignore this is absurd and insulting to the residents.
Second, how shameful that our elected alderwoman has chosen to depict neighbors and residents as racist, fear-mongering, physically abusive rightwingers to the media. It is beyond disappointing to see her characterize our neighbors in this way. The appalling lack of leadership from her speaks to the arrogance and naivete she brings to the position. Numerous videos show that residents did not assault her and yet she insists on claiming that narrative.
Third, hundreds of residents were left out of the community meeting tonight yet it was clear from photos that the entire balcony was open for seating. There was no livestream nor option for internet participation. Did you learn nothing from the pandemic? Community meetings routinely have a live stream option available but none was made.
Our elected leadership has bungled this every step of the way. The flip flopping statements, lack of ownership, and misdirection of the real issue by claiming the opposition is being led by racist outsiders is insulting at best and disillusioning at worst. Shame on you for thinking we would not see past the lies.
Anti-Democractic … the Chicago Teachers Union, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderwoman Ramirez and affiliated politicians and staffers, including alderman from other wards, disenfranchised neighborhood residents tonight, by locking them out of a public meeting regarding their… pic.twitter.com/gGSIo4HQL4
Chicago uses police against its own residents … when the residents went back to the camp construction site at 38th and california guess what the city was driving trucks in … so instead of having honor and respect of the process the mayor and the alderwoman used the meeting to… pic.twitter.com/A7sol7U6RX
