Newsletter | March 2018
Postcard Campaign Wins Repairs
Leticia and her family have been pressuring their slumlords since August to make repairs in her home. Water damage and mold have contributed to the ceiling in her kitchen falling down. Up until a few weeks ago, the owners kept saying that they cannot make any repairs until Leticia and her family move out.
In early February, ATU members sent out dozens of postcards with images of the bad conditions she has to see every day. These postcards, along with messages of solidarity for Leticia’s family were sent to the home of Luis Molina and Amelia Espinoza, so they too must see these conditions every day and get a taste of what Leticia’s family has to endure.
Last week, the owner came by and made repairs to her ceiling. This win shows us that direct action can take many forms, and anyone can do it, you just need to try. Never forget, when we fight, we win.
Fundraiser for Guillermo
Guillermo has been an organizer with ATU for many years. Passionate and determined, Guille has fought with us to make sure landlords and developers couldn't displace working class tenants in Albany Park. Now we need to show up for him. He went to Jacksonville, FL late last year, intending to spend a few months working there. He has been jailed since January 29, 2018 and detained by ICE at Baker County Detention Facility since February 8.
ATU is asking for funds for legal or other expenditures needed to support Guillermo, as well as to support his family, who typically rely on his income for survival. Please donate to and share our fundraiser to fight with Guille against his detention!
Rent Control Action
From 2013-2016, rents on average have INCREASED $500/month in Chicago versus wages of $125/month...we need rent control now! On January 31, ATU joined local community groups downtown as part of the Lift The Ban Coalition, staging an action for lifting the ban on rent control.
Protesters armed with pillows, blankets and a message of “Rent’s too high, can we sleep here?” marched to the Thompson Center and held a press conference about the enormous burden tenants face due to rising rents and the private interest groups that have worked to ban rent control in Illinois. Check out ATU’s coverage of the event on Twitter here.
No Cop Academy demands Deb Mell listen to her constituents when they say “Money for Schools, not Cops”
33rd Ward residents gathered outside Deb Mell’s office on Monday, Feb 26 to let her know that they want her to vote “no” on the cop academy ordinance. A group chanted outside as two constituents waited inside to speak with Mell. After waiting over 30 minutes, Mell finally came outside and greeted the crowd with “Hello, I am not going to answer any questions.”
Mell concentrated more on making sure the folks present were residents of her ward, rather than addressing the reason they were there. After some back and forth, one constituent reminded Mell that they had asked nicely previously, and she still voted to purchase the land for the academy. Mell’s assistant responded “you assume you speak for everyone in this ward.”
After a few minutes, Mell retreated into her office, and the crowd vowed to make her regret it if she votes yes to the ordinance. If you live in the 33rd Ward, please reach out to Mell and let her know why you support the “NoCopAcademy campaign, and let her know what you think that money should be used for.
