A Statement In Response to Recent Violence in the 11th Ward

Recently an attack took place in Taylor-Lauridsen Park in the 11th Ward of Chicago. 

Members of our community were deeply saddened to hear of the attack that took place in Taylor-Lauridsen Park. In these times of great inequity and disparity, many of our neighbors are facing immense struggles and frustrations. Budget cuts, increased poverty, lack of transportation, and decreased funding for public education and other services all take their toll on the lives of our neighbors and our families. All of these hardships are related to larger systemic racism, economic inequality, and corporate greed.

We at Bridgeport Alliance believe that we must strive to look past our fears and differences and make an effort to see each other as friends and partners in shaping the world we want to live in. In the face of this tragedy we hope to foster a much needed discourse about the ways in which structural racism hurts us all. 

Official Bridgeport Alliance Statement: Rahm's "Clean Air" Pollutes Our Reputation

November 21, 2014

For immediate release:

Earlier this week Chicago Together, Rahm Emanuel’s campaign for reelection, released a video titled Clean Air. It highlights the closing of Fisk and Crawford, a pair of South Side coal-fired power plants that had been exposing residents to harmful pollution for decades. Local residents and community groups worked for years to close these plants, but the 30 second ad spins the story differently, implying that Rahm was the true hero. In his attempt to take credit for the closures, it is the opinion of Bridgeport Alliance that Emanuel is claiming a victory that belongs to the communities, exploiting their success to bolster his campaign.

The video also implies that Emanuel has the support of local community activists. In fact, he does not. Community member and lawyer Jerry Boyle commented, “The people who struggled to close those toxic coal plants were arrested by Rahm Emanuel, who only showed up to take credit for their victory.” In a similar vein, Bridgeport Alliance Chair Ruby Pinto expressed anger, stating, “Our neighbors fought tirelessly to restore our air quality, and that meant going against Emanuel and his corporate favoritism. To see our efforts distorted into support for Rahm feels like a bully taking our lunch money and buying votes with it.”

Though we are happy that the clean-power victory was won under his mayorship, his one  positive decision (in response to community pressure) is outweighed by other decisions that have devastated our communities. School closings, cuts to mental health services, and the enactment of policies that consistently favor large corporations over the people he claims to serve have earned our outrage, not our support.

BA in the News

Kevin Robinson on School Closings, Charters and Clout

CPS School Closings Plan Has South Side Schools Making Pitch to Stay Open

Public School Closings Could Harm Special Education Students, Critics Say

Southwest Side Braces for More CPS School Closings Forums

Ald. James Balcer: McClellan and Graham 'Should Not Close'

And, Claudia in the World Journal!

Community Forum on School Closings - Bridgeport, Canaryville, Chinatown, Chicago

Elementary schools in our Chicago neighborhoods are at risk of being closed.

Join parents, students, leaders, and community members who want to keep our schools safe from school closings, and strengthen our schools for the future.

Learn what schools are at risk and what you can do about it and take action after the forum! We will attend the CPS meeting for our area immediately after the forum. A bus will leave First Trinity Church for Fuller Park and return after the action. Please contact Maria at maria@soulinchicago.org if you would like a space on the bus.

Sponsored by Bridgeport Alliance, Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL), Raise Your Hand, the Chicago Teachers Union, Parents 4 Teachers, and First Lutheran Church of the Trinity.

Facebook 
DNA Info - Bridgeport Parents Plan Rally Before CPS Utilization Forum

BA in the News

Articles on the SOUL King Day Event!

DNA Info -Activists Plan ‘King Day’ Rally

Progress Illinois - Community Group Brings Together Politicians, Religious and Community Leaders In A Call For Social Justice

October Meeting

All apologies for the shifting meeting time.
We have rescheduled for Thursday, October 25, 7pm.
Location to be determined.
31st St. bus updates and future planning will take place, as well as discussion around revenue.

 On September 20, Bridgeport Alliance, a community group member of the Clean Power Coalition, was a proud recipient of the Illinois Environmental Council's Environmental Leadership Award for working to close Fisk and Crawford. Go team!

Community Energy Choice Campaign Launch

After a decade-long campaign that resulted in the shut down of the Fisk and Crawford coal plants, it's time to make Chicago America's greenest city. Join the Chicago Clean Power Coalition for our new campaign launch to tell Mayor Emanuel we want to power Chicago with clean renewable energy!

Thursday, October 4, 2012 Meet at City Hall, at the Clark St entrance between Washington and Randolph streets at Noon. We'll have giant wind turbines, t-shirts, signs and stickers, so you can't miss us!

On November 6th, Chicagoans will vote on a referendum to determine whether the City will have the authority to buy electricity on behalf of its residents. Community Energy Choice will put Chicago on the path to be America's greenest city by investing in a clean energy future.


Join us to tell Mayor Emanuel to commit to developing in-state renewable energy sources with the purchase of clean, renewable energy made in Illinois and a goal of 100% renewable energy to run our city. Community Energy Choice will drive job creation and create programs to save energy across all of Chicago.

See you there! If you haven't signed the petition, please sign today!



Facebook Page
cleanpowerchicago.org

31st street update - one more win on our route

Good news, dear people:

Mr. Claypool (CTA President) replied "Yes." to our ask tonight.

And he promised he meant it, right in front of the altar at First Lutheran Church of the Trinity here on 31st St. in Bridgeport :)

The Bridgeport Alliance, the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, and Little Village Environmental Justice Organization were all present.

We will be meeting with the director of the CTA's 6 month study re: the FULL 31st Street route, monthly.

Alderman James Balcer showed again to support BA.

One more battle won on our way to victory!

Good job, team.