If We Don't Work, Nobody Works Provoking the Movement"
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
JJ' M«W«>-">H i.-1- ••"-' i-j-J^=:.-"- : - :—:— '- » '»' • '. • . '•• SSJ photo by Dennis Worrix discontent continues. During the mid 90's activist Eddie Read champion the slo The construction industry is booming in the Chicago area and qualified gan contractors are needed to fill the many opportunities now available, for resi dential and commercial development. But for Blacks in the construction industry, If we don't Work, Nobody Works An on-going cry withA Blackn on-goins in the con ceasegd cr the parity wity of Blackhs Blackin public workss Inactio thn programe constructios quotas, Omar Sheriff onf companieindustrs owneyd by minorities and struction industry continues in the 2000's projects, that has filtered into the private the African American Contractors Asso women received $619 million of City with protest and demonstrations by many sector. ciation says the use of the word Minority business in 2002, an increase to 41 percent Black organizations striving for parity. The term minority addressing Disadr is leaving less work for African Americans of total City contract awards, far above the The term minority, is a federal guide vantaged Businesses; Female Firms and in wake of their population. City's goal of 30 percent, a further look line that many organizations say has de others is mandated in meeting affirmative As Mayor Richard M. Daley boast that (Continued on page 3) ii Provoking the movement" -.-.-... II The Torture Continues for Voice Of The Ex-Offenders' (VOTE) Aaron Pattersonp i Movement Say supporters, "Drug charges Ms. Beauty Turner Freelance Writer, conspired by law enforcers" Thugs" is how Alderman Toni By Alexandria Pope Preckwinkle (4), Dorothy Tillman (3)-and a host of other Managing Editor elected officials describe them. Rising as a leader in the Black commu However, Randal Robinson nity, Aaron Patterson, was held without bond speaking before the congregation on gun and drug charges. As the judge an of Trinity United Church of God nounced him as a threat to the public and on his book "America Owes Us', chances that he may flee bond was denied to stated "..desperate measures need Patterson. The pack courtroom shouted, to take place in addressing is "Power to the people" and "Uhuru," which sues." means freedom in Swahili. Mannie who was Words and actions very near arrrested with Patterson bond was denied Paul McKinley and Joseph Wat initially, then given a bond of $40,000. kins leaders of Voice Of The Ex- Calling the charges a setup Chairman Offenders (VOTE). "They are no Fred Hampton Jr. of the P.O.C.C (Prisoners compromising in the injustice of of Conscience Committee) said, "Patterson's residents' parity in the mass de arrest is an attempt to stop him from testify velopment in Chicago". ing against Police Commander Jon Burge for McKinley says in his movement torturing him and other false arrestees. ". for the people. Patterson filed a $30 million federal lawsuit, by the People's Law Office, for compensatory Aaron Patterson (I) patron after 17 years on Death Row, with Joseph Watkins and Paul McKinley of Voices Of "We see everyone, every na- The Ex-offenders during a press conference, are quietly and publicly provoking a movement of the street life tionality but us working in our (Continued on page 4) to mainstream. SSJ Photo by Jabar (Continued on page 10) The Primary Election Aftermath continues in the 6th District ofEnglewood; Inside South Street Journal The Democratic Party subject to Dr. Sonki Kuranga, charges drop "walking Dog while black, a victim of Replace a candidate as well Police harassment, page 10. By Ron Carter A major advancement in Black called actions of the Democratic Editorial: Publisher and Editor politics weighting in on the po Party in light of the Chicago Barack Obama, the Democratic litical power in November. Board of Elections turned over to nominee is likely to be the fifth However, the U.S. Senatorial Cook County State's Attorney page 7 African American in history to race did not over shadowed the Richard Devine evidence of fel the U.S. Senate. And for sure demand for political accountabil ony charges of perjury and fraud there will be one with the Repub- ity in the replacement of Patricia against State Rep. Pat Bailey. Did their "Gas licans drafting Alex Bailey, Representative of the 6h For the first time in history the Keen to replace Jim District. Community leaders in board charged an elected official, Fasr reduce gas prices? Page 8 Ryan. Englewood and across the city (Continued on page 6) Page 2 South Street Journal August 18—31, 2004 "Chicago Blues District" "short list" of CTA"s priorities. But ac Harold The HWCC is an anchor part of the cording to CTA officials responsible for undergoing development on 47th its capital program, while the Red Line Washington's Street. Its executive director jimalita -Extension was included in the long- UnZip Tillman, daughter of the Alderman range "2030" regional transportation Dorothy Tillman said the HWCC is to plan (prepared by the Chicago Area The Weatherman Center honor the strong historical legacy of Transportation Study agency known as Word is certain Black elected officials "bosses " the cultural and community spirit of "CATS"), it is not a "recommended" target State Rep Charles Morrow, for defeat. Rep. opens both past community leaders and pion- project because it currently lacks fund Morrow while addressing fellow representatives in ers. ing. Springfield notice fellow Black representatives on 47th St. This building is a neo-classical de CTA views it as a "potential future entering the room. He replied, "Here comes the sign that boasts a 1,000 seat ComEd extension," but has no current plans for clowns. " The body burst in laugher. Not thinking performing arts theatre, a digital media this corridor underway. it was so funny the Black bosses made sure Mor resource and radio/television broadcast CTA has begun rehab of the existing row was defeated. Other sources say he was tar center. Future additions to the cultural "Dan Ryan" leg of the Red Line. That pro geted for not supporting Daley's O 'Hare Airport center include a srestaurant and ban ject will be done and funded in three Expansion plans. quet facility. phases - the first of which is under Harold Lucas the undeclared "Mayor ofBron- A schedule of events over August way. The funding will come from federal zeville " was noted for his dedication and move 17—18 is designed tio introduce the grants known as "Formula" grants, matched by funds from the Illinois Dept. of Trans ment to preserve the Bronzeville community at the facility that are free and open to the portation. annual Mayor of Bronzeville Ball. public starting august 17 at 11:30 pm. The goal of the Rev. Al Tours will also be available. For infor | Sharpton bid for President mation call 773-373-1900. The New Circle line was at least to present his The plans to create a Silver Line in the "Black" agenda to the Na South Siders Organize short- term were buried in the CTA's tional Democratic Party con On Tuesday on the corner of 47th for CTA Red line to 130th and Mayor Daley's plans to build a vention. He did a well job at and King Drive a host of political, "Circle Line." The complete build-out of The Developing Communities Project, it He would have likely re business and community residents took the Circle Line could cost as much as $2 a major faith-based organization on the ceive from the Federal Elec part in the unveiling bronze statue of billion, and would build new elevated City's Far South Side, is renewing its tion Commission $100,000 in Harold Washington, Chicago's first tracks south to Bridgeport and a new advocacy for construction of an addi | federal matching money and Black Mayor took place. subway under N. Ashland Avenue. The tional 6 miles onto the CTA Red Line to tax dollars if he would have The impressive 20 foot sculpture of Campaign for Better Transit has ob stayed in the race. However, in a graceful way to better serve communi jected to CTA's new the late Mayor Washington is the first ties all the way to 130th end his presidential campaign he opted instead for of its kind located anywhere in the City Circle Line, pointing TV deal for a Reality Show, giving him a Donald Street, questioning why out that City Hall and of Chocago. African-American sculp the Far South Side pro Trump like setting to air in September. The show tor and artist Ed Dwight, jr. developed CTA are ignoring the would mostly pay more than the campaign match ject has been put on the current transit needs of the statue. back burner for the Red ing funds. Pretty good pay-off to ran for president. " m& neighborhoods, such The unveiling was part of a series Line Extension. So much for John Kerry to adopt some of Sharp- of events held in honor of the grand I f f DCP has reached out ^ ton s "Black " campaign positions publicly. opening celebration of the long awaited to NCBG's Campaign 11 as providing more bus Harold Washignton Cultural Center for Better Transit to help them inform service on the South, (HWCC), the city's newest entertain and mobilize residents and stakeholders Far South and West ment and cultural arts facility. about this important transit project. Sides, building additional rail stations Kicking off the opening was legend South Siders have been waiting for 30 on the Green Line, building the long- Roy Ayers and blues master Bobby years, and had hoped that the Red Line awaited and nearly forgotten Mid City "Blue" Bland as 47th Street iscrowned Extension would finally move to the Transit Way, and extending the Red Line to 130th St.