By Centro de Trabajadores Unidos: Immigrant Workers’ Project
CALUMET CITY – On Wednesday evening, community residents of Calumet City will host a nonpartisan candidates forum to ask candidates where they stand on local issues.
Given the current political climate around the recent executive orders targeting specific communities as well as the raids this past weekend in which 600 people were arrested by federal immigration agents, many immigrants like Guadalupe Baez are wondering where current and potential elected officials stand on strengthening protections for immigrants in Calumet City.
Calumet City, a south suburb of Chicago, is comprised of 72% African Americans and 14% Latinos.
Lorena Marin, a resident of Calumet City, says, “I want my family to feel safe living and driving in Calumet City. I’ve had experiences where I’ve been stopped multiple times for no reason by the Calumet City Police. I want there to be strong protections for the immigrants and no racial profiling of our community.”
The issue of police accountability is not new to the community. Since 2008, Calumet City has been sued 28 times over police misconduct, with three lawsuits stemming from fatal police shootings. Five years ago, the police department in Calumet City was under fire for the fatal shooting of a 15-year old autistic boy by police enforcement. Community residents will also ask where the candidates stand on police accountability.
The nonpartisan candidate forum will take place on Wednesday evening at the Gym in Ginger Ridge Apartments, 1954 Memorial Drive in Calumet City at 6 p.m. All 17 candidates for aldermen and the two candidates for City Clerk have been invited.
WHAT: Community residents of Calumet City will host a nonpartisan forum to ask candidates where they stand on pressing local issues.
WHEN: 6 p.m., Wednesday, February 15, 2017.
WHERE: Gym in Ginger Ridge Apartments, 1954 Memorial Drive, Calumet City.
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See also:
* Autistic Boy Shot By Calumet City Police Remembered.
* Around Cal City: Signs Of An Upcoming Election.
* Centro de Trabajadores Unidos.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on February 14, 2017