Chicago City Wire

Brighton Park residents expressed concerns in a Tuesday evening meeting regarding the increasing problem of prostitution near migrant camps.

Participants criticized 12th Ward Ald. Julia Ramirez for characterizing residents opposing a permanent tent city in the area as “racist,” calling out her lack of leadership in addressing the issue.

Sabrina Basquez, a local resident, raised the issue of exclusion of hundreds of residents from a recent meeting on the issue, highlighting the need for better community engagement and transparency from elected officials.

“I am a resident of the 12th Ward and administrator of the Brighton Park Community Facebook page which has a membership of over 10,000 residents and one of the McKinley park community watch pages,” Basquez said on X.

“I went to the meeting tonight to bring up the following: first, it is apparent that prostitution near and among other migrant camps is rampant and increasing. The page has been sent multiple videos of migrants participating in prostitution. I cannot emphasize enough the safety concerns this means for the camp at 38/California. There are numerous elementary schools within direct walking distance of the camp. For the city to ignore this is absurd and insulting to the residents.”

“Second, how shameful that our elected alderwoman has chosen to depict neighbors and residents as racist, fear-mongering, physically abusive rightwingers to the media. It is beyond disappointing to see her characterize our neighbors in this way. The appalling lack of leadership from her speaks to the arrogance and naivete she brings to the position. Numerous videos show that residents did not assault her and yet she insists on claiming that narrative.”

“Third, hundreds of residents were left out of the community meeting tonight yet it was clear from photos that the entire balcony was open for seating. There was no livestream nor option for internet participation. Did you learn nothing from the pandemic? Community meetings routinely have a live stream option available but none was made.”

“Our elected leadership has bungled this every step of the way. The flip flopping statements, lack of ownership, and misdirection of the real issue by claiming the opposition is being led by racist outsiders is insulting at best and disillusioning at worst. Shame on you for thinking we would not see past the lies.”  

Protests and tensions erupted in Brighton Park over Mayor Brandon Johnson's plan to establish winterized tents for housing migrants, with a morning scuffle between police and protesters and a crowded evening community meeting to discuss the proposal, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Residents expressed concerns about crime, safety, and property values, as well as opposition to the mayor's plan.

The city is still evaluating the site's viability for a base camp to accommodate migrants as the number of arrivals in Chicago has increased, particularly as winter approaches.

Last week protesters in Brighton Park expressed their opposition to the city's plan to establish winterized tent camps for housing migrants, with some feeling that their concerns and the lack of prior notice were ignored by the city.

“We are not racist,” Aaron Fan, a nearby resident, told Block Club Chicago after protests broke out during a visit by Ald. Ramirez.

“Almost everyone in this neighborhood is an immigrant.”

Critics argue that the plan concentrates "unvetted migrants" in the area and that resources should prioritize American veterans and the homeless population, while city leaders defend the move due to the overwhelming number of migrants arriving in the city since August 2022, causing a strain on the shelter system.

Brighton Park residents are also criticizing Chicago media for what they believe to be the spread of false information and allegations of assault on Ald. Ramirez during a protest over the planned migrant tent city.

Some residents noted they feel that the media did not fairly represent the overall peaceful assembly in which they called for more transparency, accountability, and local involvement in the decision-making process regarding the temporary shelter for migrants.