Chicago City Wire

Brighton Park locals are criticizing Chicago media for spreading allegations that 12th Ward Ald. Julia Ramirez was assaulted during a protest over a planned tent city meant to house illegal immigrants in Brighton Park.

The neighborhood is set to host 1,500 illegal immigrants at a “winterized” tent city to be located at 3708 South California Ave.

“To the news crews… I hold you accountable … for spreading hate and false information out of what was majorly a peaceful assembly of the people to redress our grievances …… and what about the Chief Commander of the VA post of Brighton Park and the things that he said… that we’re not shared with the community… and disregarded as a whole…,” Jacque Daniels said on Facebook.

“To Julia Ramirez… well… whoever you came with forcefully grabbed that sign out of someone’s hand and tossed it very quickly… if you noticed to it looks like he kind of pushed her from the back as he was grabbing the sign… because then he kind of puts his hand away from her like he’s not touching her….”

“Under Illinois law, filing a false police report can carry a penalty of 1 to 3 years in prison.”

“‘Battery is PHYSICAL BODILY INJURY.’”

“I think Julia assaulted our community a lot more… with her decision to neglect us…”

“I analyzed this so you don’t have to…. Check out her escorts arm… check out where she’s standing… and where the police officer places himself after he comes up behind her.. I won’t say anymore about that.”

According to CBS News, police said Ramirez and her aide were “battered" by protesters during a demonstration against plans for a migrant tent camp in Chicago's Brighton Park.

Video from the scene shows Ramirez being surrounded by a group of protestors and being led through the crowd.

“Ald. Julia Ramirez (12th), whose ward has the planned tent site, arrived & was immediately encompassed by screaming protesters. The situation got so tense that CPD broke up the crowd and put the Alderwoman + her staffer in a squad car & left,” Block Club Chicago reporter Colin Boyle said on X.

Ramirez put out a press release following the incident.

“Today my staff and I went to meet with 12th Ward residents protesting Mayor Johnson's plan to construct a temporary shelter for migrants at 38th and California ,” Ramirez said in the press release.  

“Residents contacted my office this week and asked that I attend to hear their concerns. I wanted to engage directly with my community to address misinformation being spread about my involvement in the plan, and how we should move forward as a community.”

“After having a few conversations, it became clear that most of the protesters did not want to engage in a peaceful dialogue with me. It was truly a disappointing experience. As I was leaving the protest, a group of protestors surrounded me and my staffer and began assaulting us. Fortunately I'm ok, however my staffer was taken to the hospital and is in good condition.”

“I understand residents are fearful and have concerns about the city's plan. I have the same concerns. I'm a born and raised resident of Brighton Park. I ran for Alderwoman so that I could be in a position to address the years of disinvestment in my community. I hear my residents and want them to know I will always advocate for their safety and ensure our communities have the resources they deserve. I also respect everyone's right to peacefully protest however violence and hate is not the answer. I hope to continue to build bridges across the different communities in the 12th Ward as we address this crisis in a humane and compassionate way. Brighton Park should be a welcoming community to both existing residents and new arrivals. I call on the Mayor's Office for more transparency, accountability, and more local involvement in the decision making process, to explore more options for establishing permanent shelters, and reevaluate if tents are an appropriate solution at this site.”