Native American Heritage Month; New AIS commissioner
Good morning, Chicago! I’m live tweeting the City Council meeting this morning at 10am for @CHIdocumenters!
Follow along ⬇️🧵#chidocumenters
09:59 AM Nov 4, 2022 CDT
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is starting up the meeting at 10:05 am with an attendance count.
First speaker is in support of the Safe T Act “by way of locks being changed on various government” owned buildings
“The misnomered African Americans have full fight to belong to an indigenous nation, full right to a nationality …” https://t.co/UC0P3O3VVy
Sharon ‘Renee, the next public speaker, says “we are asking all the time to get some type of resolve; some type of remedy, from our servants and our servants are not listening” https://t.co/a7c6ABwRDY
“I am not displaced, I am here, and so are the rest of us,” they said. “You all live so much better than the people in which you work for and I am confused about that,”
“I hope that you are not just listening but you are in a place where you’re ready and willing to do your jobs,” Sharon ‘Renee said.
George Blakemore is up now: “The government is not your friend, as a matter of fact — they hate you.”
Blakemore: “We have to unite and come together. We are our own problem — we’re waiting on these people to give us our reparations. They have no intention of doing that.” https://t.co/59HWbFyCRo
Now up is Lauren Parker: “Winter is over with, we’re no longer going to have winter — yes.”
“Us so-called African Americans, so-called Black — we are indigenous,” Parker said. “We’re indigenous to this land, we’re indigenous to all parts of the globe.” https://t.co/zabOudRd83
“It is the people’s obligation to publicly reclaim their land,” Parker said. “Due to the level of ongoing corruption, the only solution is for certain government properties to be confiscated …” for the people by the people, she said.
“Come January 1, 2023, we the people are changing the locks. Yes. Because most of these government funded buildings do not belong to who —,” Parker said before she’s cut off at the end of her time.
Speaking now is an indigenous educator who is advocating for the council to learn about the indigenous people in the Chicago area (sorry, I missed his name).
“It’s really important to bring back our cultural awareness,” https://t.co/Vhd2Nslxl5
First up is a resolution to officially make Indigenous People’s Day a holiday in Chicago.
Alderwomen Hadden and King both speak in support for the resolution.
Ald Vasquez, also in support: “I want to acknowledge we’re here on stolen land,”
Ald. Mike Rodriguez, also in support: “I also want to recognize the very strong relationship that my community, the Latino community, has with” the Native American community. “We recognize their great contributions to our culture,”
Ald Sigcho Lopez: “We have to take a moment to look at the past to understand the present. 500 years of colonization are not going to be overcome easily,” … “When we talk about restoring the Department of the Environment,” we have an opportunity to do that
Ald Sigcho Lopez: “Today, more than ever, we have to challenge the white supremacy this is in our schools.”
Ald Lee: “Our biggest challenge is reconciling the good and the bad for all people” … “Thank you for all that you do to carry on your traditions,”
Ald Cardenas: “There’s lot to be done on uniting families — some of those tribes that live here are also related to tribes in the Northwest territories,” … “There’s tens of thousands of people who have no access to unite their families,”
Lightfoot: “Native American residents of our city have made a deeply positive impact on all of who we are,”
Lightfoot: “We remain deeply committed to promoting Native cultural heritage to inform and educate visitors and residents alike,”
Council agrees to have a antisemitic public comment from earlier be stricken from record.
Waguespack is now giving the committee report for Finance — all items deferred and published https://t.co/aFbhIkDvVs
Dowell giving the report for budget and operations — asking for deferral of several ordinances, including: https://t.co/OE36IWIWhZ
Dowell moves for approval of appointment of Sandra Blakemore as Commissioner of Assets, Information and Services
Presented aldermanic introductions and there are no introductions to the journal.
Moving quickly, there is no unfinished business. No miscellaneous business.
To clarify — votes I mentioned moved for passage are all deferred as ordinance 1 was
There is no further business — the council is adjourned until Monday.
Tune in then for the big budget vote and @CHIdocumenters #ChiBudgetBingo 🎉🏆