\Members of North Side Action for Justice and Gay Liberation Network were among about 35 people picketing Aug. 24 in front of Ald. James Cappleman's office, 4660 N. Broadway, as the alderman welcomed supporters for an event launching his bid for re-election.
The protestors crowded the sidewalk in front of the office as Cappleman's guests arrived; his staffers flanked each side of the office door as the crowd gathered. Among those who arrived for the event were Cappleman's husband, Richard Thale, and state Sen. Heather Steans.
Protesters said that they were there to call out the alderman for escalating aggression towards the 46th Ward's poor residents.
"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," said Andy Thayer of Gay Liberation Network. "The LGBT community is sharply divided by class, and no one epitomizes that more than Cappleman with his pro-developer bias."
Activist Ryne Poelker, who organized the protest, added that the start of election season was "the perfect time" to call attention to that bias. He maintained that Cappleman's top donors are real estate developers, among them real estate mogul Jay Michael, who has purchased many North Side Buildings with the intention of taking them upscale, as well as real estate agent Mark Zipperer.
Poelker added that the protestors also wanted to get Cappleman to back away from "his attacks on the poor residents of the area."
Protester Julie Rush, a licensed clinical professional counselor, added, "The way he uses the letters behind his name hurts me and the people I work with."
Addressing the crowd, Poelker said the alderman stood for what he called "my own version of the golden rule—he who has all the gold gets to make the rules."
Tempers flared a bit during the protest, when one man, who said he lived inside the building above Cappleman's office, told the protestors to go away. He confronted many of the activists, defending Cappleman, and at one point stood in the center of the picket line, yelling obscenities and insults in tempo with the protestors' chants. Though the man complained to a police officer about the protest, the officer said that the protestors had the right to be there.
In 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. Any ward resident who wants to discuss issues facing our city and our community is more than welcome to stop by my office and have a conversation with me or my staff. I host open office hours on Monday night."
