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@chicagosmayor:1/As a southsider who has come to respect your decisions on many difficult things, I am increasingly concerned by the zero-sum game that you have forced many of your Black constituents to subscribe to this summer, as it pertains to public safety and our communities
2/The complexity of issues facing our city is not lost of me, especially as it pertains to policing. However, the countless examples of south side communities being forced to fend for ourselves in the face mass gatherings (which are breeding grounds for violence) is unacceptable
3/The unspoken sentiment that many Black communities are received with by our public officials is that we must choose between protecting Black lives and the protection of our neighborhoods.Not only is that unacceptable but it further stymies efforts to dismantle structural racism
4/…in Chicago.
5/Even under your administration, its disappointing to say that we are simply asking for a fair distribution of current resources. The south lake front is a public resource for a segment of the city with limited options. However, in contrast to its north side counterpart..
6/ communities who live closest to it (Oakland, Kenwood, Hyde Park, South Shore) are forced to try to navigate growing public safety issues on our own. Yet, our neighbors in the South Loop, Loop, River East, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Uptown are afforded greater community...
7/.protection through the civil enforcement of basic preexisting city laws (re: park closure times and vehicular parking violations). Due to the unprecedented times we are living in, there seems to be an understanding that SOME places in the city need to protected so they can be
8/..enjoyed by all. It appears as though your administration has calculated that none of those places exist south of Roosevelt. Coalitions of Chicagoans have repeatedly petitioned the alderman over these areas such @king4thward , @5thWardChicago , and @AldPatDowell3rd and ...
9/..the @CPD Commanders over these areas to discuss community-smart strategies that allows for safe engagement. Yet, efforts have been short-lived due to "limited resources." So now we are looking to you for answers and engagement around why some communities are protected...
10/…and others are not. I believe that photos and videos can tell this story better than my words…Please view the attachments below to fully understand what our community is experiencing on an almost nightly basis...
11/Large party off of the 41st street bridge…(Video)
12/Large party off of 40th and Oakenwald (Photo)
13/Fireworks lit on 41st street bridge set a Metra track on fire (Photo)
14/Aftermath of a large late night gathering (photo)
15/ @chicagosmayor. Communities impacted in a similar way have done everything you have asked of us. We are active within our neighborhoods. We pick up a broom and clean ourselves. We advocate for resources. We community-build with those who need a collective voice. Where do YOU..
16/..see yourself in this equation? If the answer is that you don't see a way that you can help then that's the biggest problem of all. @Suntimes @chicagotribune @BlockClubCHI , @chicagoreader, @SouthSideWeekly @ChicagoMag @nytimes
