Chicago alderwoman swarmed at protest over migrant camp wants more transparency from city
CHICAGO (CBS) – The Chicago alderwoman who was swarmed by protestors angry about a migrant tent camp planned for Brighton Park last week shared her experience.
She spoke to CBS 2's Sabrina Franza as another Chicago community continued its fight to keep a migrant shelter out of its fieldhouse.
"At this point and time, I've asked the administration to be more transparent," said Ald. Julia Ramirez (12th).
Her ward is ground zero for Chicago's first possible migrant tent base camp at 38th and California.
"I still will tell him that I completely disagree with the decision to take any parks, any public space," said said Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) who also addressed the mayor's response to the migrant crisis on Monday.
A shelter location was proposed for Amundsen Park in his ward.
That location has been on hold after multiple protests by the community.
In Ramirez's ward, construction continues for migrant housing.
Franza: "Did you offer that spot?"
Ramirez: "They had asked for specific sites, and I didn't send over a site."
As the issue grows, so does outrage from neighbors. At a protest last Thursday, the anger reached a breaking point.
"I went knowing that I had the best intent that I have nothing to hide," Ramirez said. "I'm going to be here for my community."
Many demonstrators swarmed the alderwoman. Chicago police escorted her and an aide away.
She maintained that she was not aware of the construction until the same time her constituents found out.
"I don't believe the city and the administration should be making those decisions alone, and that's why I want to make sure as people are being heard tomorrow, that I provide a different space in which we're thinking on a hyper-local level on what makes sense for Brighton Park residents," she said.
Ramirez wants to address the issue during a community meeting on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Thomas Kelly Preparatory High School.