Dear Editor:
After reading the Aug. 27 Windy City Times article "Protesters Congregate at Cappleman Election Kickoff" article, I felt an incredible sense of relief in knowing that both the Northside Action for Justice and the Gay Liberation Network continue to understand the important of "speaking justice to power!"
I'd like to publicly thank both organizations for raising their collective voices in protest against 46th Ward Ald. James Cappleman's re-election effort.
I wholeheartedly agree with Andy Thayer's statements—specifically, where he's quoted as stating, "We, as LGBT people, can't stand aside as he puts himself forward as a 'former social worker' and gay alderman, and attacks most LGBT, and non-LGBT, people in this ward who are not wealthy,"
Why should anyone regardless of sexual orientation, but especially LGBTQ economically disadvantaged persons who reside in the 46th Ward, continue to "stand aside" in support of an incumbent alderman who politically goes along repeatedly for the wealthy developers at the expense of low-income 46th Ward constituents?
Additionally I'm glad that the protesters wanted to get Cappleman to back away from "his attacks on the poor residents of the area." Cappleman's antics against the poor are notorious among many Chicagoans, regardless of the ward.
For example, remember the alderman's legislative attempt to make it a crime to be in a bus stop if you're not waiting for a bus? Remember, the alderman's legislative attempts to ban low-rent cubicle hotels, commonly known as the last resort for poor persons to get off the streets at night?
I wonder if the readers remember the Windy City Times article in the Jan. 17, 2013, edition, concerning the alderman's antics regarding economically disadvantaged residents of the Hotel Chateau who were given a 30-day notice and evicted! Look at that property now!
Furthermore, I hope your readers ask themselves what kind of person—whose former professional background includes being a member of a religious order, specifically, a Franciscan friar—would be mean enough to ban an organization, especially a faith-based one, from feeding the hungry at night in his ward?
And finally, a comment to Windy City Times: Cappleman said, "I welcome any form of discussion and support the right of those protesting. My only disappointment is that the information being disseminated during this protest was not factual." The alderman's statement is a blatant lie, and a perfect example of why LGBT persons and others should continue their direct action efforts to speak justice to power—especially during an election session!
Michael O'Connor
Chicago
