Chicago City Wire

In a heated and tumultuous special Chicago City Council meeting on Nov. 2, Ald. Ray Lopez spoke out against what he described as aggressive tactics meant to shut down democracy, specifically condemning Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the Floor Leader for Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Lopez, who is vying for a seat in the 4th Congressional District, expressed his outrage over what he called "theatrics and antics" that took place during the meeting on Thursday.

The meeting, which aimed to debate a resolution that would create a referendum asking voters whether Chicago should continue to be a sanctuary city, devolved into chaos as Lopez accused the mayor's team, led by Ald. Rosa and the allegedly politicized Law Department, of bending rules and breaking laws to obstruct the proceedings.

Lopez emphasized that the influx of border-crossers into Chicago was connected to the city's Welcoming City Ordinance, and Chicagoans wanted a voice and vote on the matter.

“Migrant asylum-seekers continue to be sent here by Democrat & Republican leaders across the United States because of our Welcoming City Ordinance. Progressive/liberal narrators keep saying one has nothing to do with the other in an attempt to divorce consequence from action. Chicagoans understand this which is why they want a voice (and vote) on the matter,” Lopez said on X.  

The announcement for the meeting specifically addressed the matter. 

"For the immediate consideration of a Resolution authorizing the following referendum question to be submitted to the voters of the entire City of Chicago for the determination if Chicago should continue to keep its designation as a Sanctuary City (R2023-0004224)," the announcement read.

Democrat officials were accused of obstructing the democratic process throughout the meeting.

Opponents claimed that Democrats in Springfield pressured Chicago Aldermen to prevent the meeting and that socialists used various tactics, even shutting off the lights in the Council Chamber, to delay proceedings.

The chaotic scene included accusations, debates about quorums, and disagreements about whether citizens should have the right to vote on the city's sanctuary city status.

Lopez particularly criticized Ramirez-Rosa for allegedly harassing and physically manhandling his colleague from the West Side, Ald. Emma Mitts.

“When I asked for the Sergeant-at-Arms to bring the alds in, it was because I saw @CDRosa & Ald. Mitts at the door. We walked in together because had the  Sergeant-at-Arms done his job, Carlos wouldn’t have felt empowered to threaten our colleague. Whether it was by accident or by design, the Sergeant-at-Arms purpose is to protect the Chamber & the members, and now even from other aldermen.  #RosaResign," Lopez said on X.  

He accused Ramirez-Rosa of grabbing and physically blocking Ald. Mitts, who is a woman, from exiting the meeting room in an attempt to intimidate her.

“Of all his theatrics & antics witnessed today, I am thoroughly disgusted & infuriated by @ChicagosMayor Floor Leader @CDRosa harassing & manhandling my colleague from the West Side, Ald. Emma Mitts,” Lopez said on X.

“No man has the right to lay hands on anyone, let alone grab a woman & physically block her from exiting trying to intimidate her. Your misogyny was on full disgusting display (again). The only question is why does our mayor allow you to serve in any capacity? You refused to be called for quorum while hiding by the doors threatening your colleagues. You are clearly a threat to women, especially of color. Resign!”

Lopez condemned this behavior as a display of misogyny and questioned why Ramirez-Rosa was allowed to serve in any capacity.

“For all asking about my comments pertaining to @ChicagosMayor Floor Leader @CDRosa’s assault of Ald Mitts in the council chamber annex: Yes it happened & yes I can confirm this because I had to physically position myself between him and her, physically pushing him back until she was able to break free, allowing us to walk into the chambers together declaring “Now we have 26.” #RosaResign," Lopez said on X.  

Prior to the meeting beginning Lopez and other aldermen received a text from Rosa trying to dissuade them from coming.

“Good morning! I wanted to let you all know that today’s ‘special meeting’ will not have quorum - we have heard from 25 people who will not be in attendance, which means the meeting is not happening, so if you have things to do in your ward focus on that, instead of wasting time coming downtown,” Rosa said in the text posted to X.

However, the meeting did have a quorum.

Despite the disruptions, Lopez highlighted the commitment of the aldermen in favor of the resolution.

“30 alds showed up for allowing the people’s voice to be heard. The mayor’s team, led by his deceitful & unhinged Floor Leader & a politicized Law Dept, did everything possible to break every rule, bend every law, and twist every arm to stop us,” Lopez said on X.  

He announced their intention to reconvene on Tuesday at 9:45 am to continue the discussion.