CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - As crews conduct environmental assessments on a planned migrant tent city in Brighton Park, residents of that Southwest Side neighborhood packed a public meeting Tuesday night.
Alderwoman Julia Ramirez spoke to those who filled an auditorium at Kelly High School after being attacked by protesters at the proposed site at 38th and California last week.
“I was not aware that the City trucks had been working on the lot after the fact,” Ramirez said. I did have aldermanic prerogative in this decision. I was not asked or given a vote.”
Many of those who came out objected to the lack of public information about plans for the ten-acre site at 38th and California.
“Our residents [who] live in this park have our right to know what’s going on, and we have a right to say no!” one woman exclaimed.
Others emplored their neighbors to be more welcoming.
“It’s not an either or. We can welcome our new neighbors, and we can have a thriving, healthy community.
Some residents demanded the City direct resources to them instead of the new arrivals, while others worried that the plan is inadequate
“Chicago winters are brutal. Putting migrants in the tent in such conditions [is] nothing short of inhumane,” one resident said.
The City plans to host 500 people at the 10-acre site, with the number eventually rising to 2,000. The City said it’s checking if the land, water and sewer systems are suitable for constructing a tent camp.
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