Red Line situation
Some decision-makers in Chicago have instituted a policy whereby, after midnight EACH NIGHT, homeless persons are gathered like cattle when they come off the train at the end of the Red Line ( Howard or 95th ). They are marched like criminals to the gates and told they must either leave or "tap again" to re-enter to board the train area and ride back in the other direction.
This happened recently, and it is a more chaotic and expanded version of what was done in the past about once a week maybe one time in the evening. Now, it is all night long, at both ends of the Red Line. This is just one example of how the game works.
The players include CTA drivers, janitors and security workers; K-9 black-shirted personnel complete with German shepherds; and, in some cases, officers from the Chicago Police Department.
There is a great deal of yelling, confusion, screaming and noise. Many of the homeless do not have enough money to ride back in the other direction. Hence, South Siders wind up "marooned"at Howard Street in a neighborhood they do not know; North Siders wind up "abandoned" outside the gates of the CTA at 95th Street.
The players act as though this suddenly instituted policy has always been in place, and they refer to the having to pay again as a "transfer fee." It is assumed that most of the extra dollars coming from this policy are going directly to pay for the additional CTA staff members, for the K-9 security members, and I would guess also for dog food. On some nights recently, CPD officers are there also, in case things boil over.
To whom do Cook County taxpayers complain about this chauvinistic use of force against some of the most destitute poor in the city? These people who have no place to be and no place to sleep are being shuffled around and chased around.
Images of Nazi Germany abound at 3 a.m., with dogs barking, guards screaming, and citizens crying and shouting as they are milked for their very last pennies.
Are these images those of a Chicago under martial law we should all become accustomed to seeing? Is this how the city is going to look?
Thomas Hansen
Cicero
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United we stand
To all:
The Association of Latina/os Motivating Action ( ALMA ) joins the thousands of voices protesting President Trump's executive ordersparticularly those that ban the entry of refugees ( including legal permanent residents ) into our country; rush orders to build a wall along the Mexican border; and threaten to prevent federal funding for sanctuary cities and counties like Chicago and Cook County.
Not only is this an attack on immigrant, refugee, and Muslim communities; these impulsive and carelessly implemented orders also put many LGBTQ individuals into increasingly dangerous situations as they are attempting to flee life-threatening situations in other countries and seek safety in the United States. This is a disturbingly dark moment in our country's history.
During his inauguration, Trump promised to be a leader for all Americans, yet these executive orders break the spirit of that commitment. Instead of building walls and further breaking families apart, Trump should focus on building bridges between communities across this country.
So many have worked so hard to create safe communities for LGBTQ people, immigrants and refugees in Chicago, Cook County and all across Illinois. We have seen much progress, but have always kept in mind the work still to come. The political climate during the presidential campaign, after the election and, especially, during the past couple of weeks has made our work more challenging, yet even more important. Now more than ever, we must reignite our commitment to social justice.
ALMA stands in solidarity with all of the individuals and communities affected by the Trump administration's agenda. We stand shoulder to shoulder, ready to fight against these acts of injustice. We will continue to organize, speak out, and take action.
We encourage all of you to contact your legislators and share your frustrations. Continue to engage in dialogue with families, friends and neighbors. Our commitment for a better world begins in our very own communities. We will not stand idly and allow the president break us apart.
In solidarity and action,
ALMA