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Community/Civic

CPD Tactical Officer Saves A Life

Quick Thinking, Life Saving Skills Make A Difference

CHICAGO - A man owes his life to the quick thinking and rapid response of a Chicago Police Officer who responded to a medical emergency call in the city's 20th District early Saturday morning, January 22, 2022. 

Tactical Officer Dambra was first on the scene and noticed an unresponsive male. Officer Dambra immediately began performing CPR for several minutes before handing the man over to Chicago Fire Department Paramedics. Officer Dambra is trained in Law Enforcement Medical and Rescue Training (LEMART). Because of Officer Dambra’s training and quick response, a man is alive today to enjoy more time with his loved ones.

CPR training can make the difference between life and death in the moments before paramedics arrive on the scene. The citizens of Chicago say "Thank you, Officer Dambra." #CPDMediaCar

Christian's Temple Launches Mobile Outreach For Homeless

Pastor Sheldon Little and Minister Tyrone Mearday Say Church Must Go Outside Building To Serve

Min. Tyrone Mearday, Executive Assistant to Pastor Sheldon Little, explains the reasons for homelessness on Chicago's West Side, which range from loss of employment to substance abuse. Pastor Sheldon Little states that the church must come outside the building in order to meet the people where they are. Soup, coffee, donuts and sandwiches were served.

Congressman Danny Davis Brings Warm Coats, Lends Support For Church Outreach Program

Faith communities are critical in filling in the gap when it comes to serving the people, Congressman Davis pointed out, as he brought two bags of warm coats and clothing to Christian's Temple FBH Church at 218 N. Pulaski in Chicago. Many who came by found needed items of clothing in the Christian's Temple Mobile Outreach van parked in the church lot.

West Side Residents Get Food and Clothing

Pastor Sheldon Little and church members distribute hot coffee, donuts, hot chicken soup and sandwiches in front of the church at 218 N. Pulaski to those who received coats, socks, shoes, hats, and other items of clothing from mobile outreach van. Many who were hungry and cold expressed gratitude for the church's efforts. Photo by Marcus Robinson

Mobile Outreach Van Will Visit Homeless Sites

Pastor Sheldon Little (far right) greets Congressman Danny Davis (second from right) along with Min. Tyrone Mearday (second from left) and his wife Tasha Mearday (far left) as they prepare to distribute clothing from the Christian's Temple Mobile Outreach Van.  In the future, the van will travel to areas where the homeless are on the streets. Photo by Naimah Latif

Pembroke Black Farmers Protest Gas Pipes, Want Clean Energy

CHICAGO - Nicor’s Pembroke Pipeline Proposal could have a harmful effect on the farmland, say a group of black farmers from Pembroke Illinois, who traveled to Chicago to declare their preference for clean, renewable energy instead. They are asking that Governor J.B. Pritzker insure that Pembroke farmers have access to the funds for clean energy. They are concerned that the Black farmers may lose the rights to their farmland based on an "imminent domain" clause in the Nicor Gas Company's contract.

Among the groups in the coalition of farmers seeking an audience with Governor Pritzker are the Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living and the Eugenia Burns Hope Center, and Kenwood Oakland Community Organization. Pembroke farmers expressed concerns about the cost of the Nicor gas project and its environmental impact over time.They want the Pembroke Farmers to benefit from Governor Pritzker's recently signed Energy Future Bill, which sets aside money for clean renewable energy.

Black Farmers Fear Land Harmed By Nicor Gas

Black Farmers Fear Land Harmed By Nicor Gas

Black Farmers Fear Land Harmed By Nicor Gas

Rod Wilson of the Eugenia Burns Hope Center expresses concerns by Black Farmers in Pembroke that they will lose ownership of their land to Nicor Gas Company. Photo by Marcus Robinson

Farmers Demanding Renewable Energy Sources

Black Farmers Fear Land Harmed By Nicor Gas

Black Farmers Fear Land Harmed By Nicor Gas

Dr. Jifunza Wright-Carter of the Black Oaks Center in Pembroke, which is already using solar panels, states that clean, renewable energy sources can be used to generate power for their farms. Photo by Marcus Robinson

Forty Years Ago Gas Requested: Not Today

Forty Years Ago Gas Requested: Not Today

Forty Years Ago Gas Requested: Not Today

Ephraim Martin, a Pembroke farmer, states that.while forty years ago the Pembroke community had asked for a gas pipeline, gas is now obsolete and clean, renewable energy is preferred. Photo by Marcus Robinson

Lawyers Represent Farmers in Court

Forty Years Ago Gas Requested: Not Today

Forty Years Ago Gas Requested: Not Today

Gavin Kearney with the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights that is representing the Black Farmers of Pembroke, states that this is an environmental issue that must be fought. Photo by Marcus Robinson.

Rainbow PUSH To Give Away 600 Food Baskets in December

Photo by John L. Alexander

Rev. Jackson: "My goal is to make Dr. King's dream work."

Chicago, IL – In celebration and in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s mission of feeding the food insecure, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., the staff and volunteers will be handing out 150 food baskets 9 a.m. Saturday, December 4th, at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, 930 E. 50th St.

PUSH officials will be distributing 150 baskets each Saturday in December at 9 a.m. during Founders month for a total of 600 food baskets donated by Jewel’s and Kroger grocery stores.

The 52nd anniversary of the murder of Black Panther leaders Fred Hampton and Mark Clark will be remembered. A panel discussion with Rev. Jackson, Dr. S. Todd Yeary, vice president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and Carmen Bolden Day, the mother of Jelani Day, will be held. Rev. James Meeks, past vice president of PUSH, will keynote the program.

Founder's Month 55th Anniversary

The food giveaway also kicks off Founder’s Month—the 55th anniversary of Rev. Jackson’s civil rights activism with Operation PUSH/Rainbow PUSH Coalition founded on December 25, 1971 at 47th and King Drive. However, his leadership actually began in 1959 when the then 18-year-old University of Illinois student, Jesse Jackson, attempted to use the Greenville, South Carolina library but was denied because he was black. That is when the civil rights “seed” was planted, and his mentor, Dr. King, kept watering that “seed” with marches, boycotts, negotiations and demands for racial and economic parity.Jackson made good his promise and returned to Greenville the next year and along with seven other students, now known as the Greenville 8, held a sit-in on July 16, 1960 at that same white library. They were arrested and ultimately scored a victory when the library was desegregated two months later. That civil rights “seed” continues to grow.It began to glow even more when as a then 23-year-old Chicago Theology Seminary student Jackson organized a group of students and joined Dr. King in Selma, Alabama marching for the right to vote. Jackson was just three courses shy of graduation.When the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) decided to take the civil rights movement North in 1965, a series of meetings took place for the next few years with Rev. Jackson by Dr. King’s side.

PUSH Founded in December 1971 to Fulfill Dr. King's Dream

In December of 1971, Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) was founded by Rev. Jackson and his pastor, the late Rev. Clay Evans, became the first Board chairman with the late businessman Cirilo McSween as treasurer.  The name was later changed to People United to Serve Humanity.Rev. Jackson continues in the spirit of Dr. King lineage—serving people with pride and a purpose.“Our work is to fulfill Dr. King’s dream,” said Rev. Jackson. “Dr. King made segregation and Jim Crow illegal. Dr. King’s dreams were to fulfill the law. My mission is to fulfill Dr. King’s dreams by making it work.”Referring to December of 1971 and today’s 55th anniversary, Rev. Janette Wilson, senior advisor to Rev. Jackson, said, “In these times of turmoil and challenge, we want to look back 55 years to see how far God has brought us, this organization and people of color particularly African Americans.“When we look at our economic status today, we must compare it within the context of history,” Wilson said. “It is always important to look at our landmarks and look at our points of progress.  “That is what this anniversary month says to us that when Dr. King made his transition and handed the baton to Rev. Jackson in 1966, he sent him to form Operation Breadbasket.“When you look across those 55 years, we’ve seen blacks elected to office that did not exist during Dr. King’s lifetime,” Rev. Wilson said. “You see African American-owned businesses, supply/diversity in the automotive and tech industries, in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street where we were once sold as slaves. We are where God has brought us at this point 55-years later,” Wilson said.

Rev. Jackson's Run For U.S. Presidency Led To Obama's Win

When Rev. Jackson ran for the presidency in 1984, he won 3,282,431 primary votes, or 18.2 percent of the total. He won five primaries and caucuses: Louisiana, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, Virginia and one of two separate contests in Mississippi.In 1988, he won 6.9 million votes and won 11 contests: seven primaries (Alabama, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and Virginia) and four caucuses (Delaware, Michigan, South Carolina and Vermont).One of the most important highlights of Rev. Jackson’s life was running for the U.S. president.  It was in October of 1985 when Rev. Jackson challenged the National Democratic Party’s winner take all rule and got it changed to 15 percent proportionality.The DNC wanted 20 percent threshold. Rev. Jackson wanted 10 percent. They comprised at 15 percent. Because of the rule change, Barack Obama was able to win the Democratic nomination and eventually the presidency.

Fighting Health and Economic Disparities

Reflecting from 1971-to the present, Rev. Wilson said, “We now see ourselves traders on Wall Street rather than products of the Wall Street trade.”However, reflecting on the current voting right bills being opposed by many Republicans, Rev. Wilson said, “We see there is a mood to take us back to where we were; so, the fight continues. The struggle continues. Students are still fighting for the elimination of student loan debt. Black students are still struggling to swim in the corporate mainstream.“There is an international disparity across the globe like Africa which has been targeted with the most rise in COVID. The healthcare disparities are global,” Wilson said. “They want to ban travel to Haiti, to Africa and to people of color around the world rather than provide more vaccines.”

Rev. Jackson: Still Leading Protests, Heading Negotiations at Age 80

Now, at the age of 80 and on the eve of Founder’s Month (November 30th), Rev. Jackson, who had vowed to get arrested, held a sit-in at the Milwaukee mayor’s office where he told mayoral aides he wasn’t leaving until he met with the mayor. Rev. Jackson and other clergy had earlier held a press conference in Milwaukee’s Rotunda of City Hall demanding that the mayor and the aldermen impose a moratorium on the taxing and taking of churches.When aides saw Rev. Jackson was serious about staying, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett appeared and joined Rev. Jackson in calling for an end to the “tax and take” church land policy and a system put in place to prevent future seizures of churches.Tavis Grant, who was a part of that sit-in,” said of Rev. Jackson’s strategy, “I think that is one of his traits. When he believes the cause is just and right, the law and people don’t have to be on his side, and it doesn’t have to be popular. He is going to do it anyway.”When the mayor agreed with Rev. Jackson that taxing churches is wrong, Bishop Grant stated, “I think it is a personal victory, but I also think it is a hallmark in terms of Rev. Jackson continuing to use the tools that work. Not only will he not give up, he won’t stop using what works and we proved today, it works.”

Organization Partners with Business to Give Winter Coats

in His Hands Resource Center Partners with Burlington to Give Away Coats

Families needing protective clothing against the anticipated frigid Chicago  winter weather were  gifted with free coats, distributed at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center at 119th and Loomis in Chicago from 11:30am or 2:00pm Tuesday, November 30th.  The coat giveaway was a project created through a partnership between In His Hands Resource Center and Burlington, well known for its Burlington Coat Factory outlets. 

Activists Present Solutions To Homelessness, Carjackings

Dr. Willie Wilson Distributes Cash to Homeless

Philanthropist and former Mayoral Candidate Dr. Willie Wilson visited several of Chicago's "tent cities" Friday, March 21st and handed out $300 in cash plus gift cards to people living outdoors in the cold. He said he did it because he was once poor and knew how it felt. Joined by 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Dr. Wilson stated that the City of Chicago needs to spend more money on affordable housing and emergency housing for its homeless population.

Men Gather At Gas Stations To Prevent Carjacking

.CHICAGO - Answering the call from activists and Public Relations Consultants Afrika Porter and Melanie Brown, more than 200 men gathered at selected gas stations Saturday January 30, 2021, to provide security for patrons to guard against carjacking. Youth between the ages of 12 and 20 have perpetrated a string of robberies and carjackings at gunpoint, some resulting in fatal shootings of victims. Many perpetrators are still at large. 

PUSH Partners With Aldermen and Churches To Distribute Food

Harmony Community Church Faces Frigid Weather to Feed 100 Families For The Holidays

Members of the Lawndale Community in Chicago's west side received food baskets for the Christmas holiday, thanks to the efforts of Harmony Community church, who partnered with Rainbow PUSH to distribute 100 bags of food. Volunteers braved frigid temperatures to stand in the church parking lot and hand bags to families as they drove past in their cars.

Chicago, IL – Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and staff kicked off a season of giving bags of groceries, including turkeys and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Since the pandemic began, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition has fed 102,000 families. Food was  donated by Jewel Food Store and Mariano’s. Photo Credit - John L Alexander via/Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Jewel Foods and Mariano's Delivers Food To PUSH

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman Helps Hungry Residents

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman Helps Hungry Residents

Rainbow PUSH Coalition staff and volunteers unpack truckloads of food donated by Jewel Food Store and Mariano's to prepare hundreds of bags of for delivery to families around Chicago throughout the cold holiday season. Photo by John L. Alexander

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman Helps Hungry Residents

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman Helps Hungry Residents

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman Helps Hungry Residents

Braving frigid temperatures, staff and volunteers organized by Ald. Coleman handed bags of food to cars of families as they drove through the parking lot of Kennedy King College at 63rd and Halsted on Dec. 11, 2020. 

Photo by John L. Alexander

17th Ward David Moore Gives Bags To Needy Families

16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman Helps Hungry Residents

24th Ward Alderman Michael Scott at Harmony Food Pantry

Residents lined up outside the 17th Ward office to receive bags of food, which included turkeys, dressing, and an assortment of vegetables. Ald. Moore especially sought to serve seniors, many of whom are unable to get out and shop.

Photo by John L. Alexander

24th Ward Alderman Michael Scott at Harmony Food Pantry

Homeless at Tent City on12th and Halsted Get Christmas Dinner

24th Ward Alderman Michael Scott at Harmony Food Pantry

Harmony Community Church Food Pantry, serving Chicago's West Side, partnered with Rainbow PUSH and Ald. Michael Scott to distribute 100 bags of food to residents before the holidays. Rev. Jackson greeted each car as they drove by and received their groceries.

Photo by John L. Alexander

28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin at JLM Abundant Life Center

Homeless at Tent City on12th and Halsted Get Christmas Dinner

Homeless at Tent City on12th and Halsted Get Christmas Dinner

Rainbow PUSH donated 100 turkeys and bags of groceries to 28th Ward Ald. Jason Ervin, who, accompanied by his wife Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, gave out food bags and turkeys at the JLM Abundant Life Center in Chicago on Dec. 22, 2020. 

Photo by John L. Alexander

Homeless at Tent City on12th and Halsted Get Christmas Dinner

Homeless at Tent City on12th and Halsted Get Christmas Dinner

Homeless at Tent City on12th and Halsted Get Christmas Dinner

Despite freezing temperatures, members from New Faith Missionary Baptist Church brought hot meals to the homeless in what is known as Tent City at 12th street off the Dan Ryan Expressway. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. urged that the City do more to end homelessness. Photo by John L. Alexander

PUSH Starts New Year With Second Pop Up Food Giveaway

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 05: The Rainbow PUSH Coalition Youth Department, headed by National Youth Director Rev. Cameron Barnes, hosted its 2nd Pop Up Food Justice drive-by/walk up outreach program 10 a.m. to 1 p.m in front of Rainbow PUSH Headquarters on 50th and Drexel Blvd.

Late Monday night, January 4th, volunteers and staff were busy bagging food in the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Community Hall stuffing 300 grocery bags with food including canned goods, fresh vegetables, dairy products and some with Tupperware.  Members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and along with members of the Chicago Police Department volunteered their time to assist in the process of sorting items and bagging them for distribution to residents in need. Photo Credit - John L Alexander/Rainbow PUSH Coalition


More than 300 Bags of Free Food Handed Out

Recipients were asked to park their cars, go inside of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, register, and then get a bag of groceries. This was open to the public, and everyone was welcome. 


"I think this is a wonderful way to start off the New Year especially for the young people on the back end of a very tumultuous year," said Rev. Barnes. "We are grateful to have made it through 2020. We are starting off 2021 by serving others by being a blessing to the community on January 05, 2021 at Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Head Quarters in Chicago, IL."  

Photo Credit - John L Alexander/Rainbow PUSH Coalition

PUSH Provides Parents Free Diapers For Children

The National Headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition at 930 E. 50th Street in Chicago continues to respond to the COVID crisis with critical assistance to the community, distributing free diapers for parents of small children during December 2020. The distribution site was set up in front of the building and hundreds received help in this ongoing effort to supplement necessities while families cope with loss of income. Photo by John L. Alexander

Actor Danny Glover Supports Evanston Reparations Legislation

COMMUNITY/CIVIC

EVANSTON, IL - Actor Danny Glover spoke to an enthusiastic audience at the First Church of God in Evanston December 11, 2019, discussing the recently passed historic Reparations legislation by Evanston's Fifth Ward Alderman Robin Rue Simmons

Evanston Alderman Simmons Holds Panel Discussion on Reparations Legislation

COMMUNITY/CIVIC

Panelists examine criminalizing 

poverty and historic racial discrimination in Chicago at the Solutions Toward Ending Poverty Summit February 20, 2020 at the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum.


Cong. Bobby Rush Announces He's Not Seeking 16th Term

Giving Up "Power and Privilege" To Be A"Humble Servant" As Church Pastor

CHICAGO - He has been the Representative for Illinois' First Congressional District for 30 years, and on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, former Black Panther, Congressman Bobby Rush announced he will not seek a 16th term. He said he will instead concentrate on his work as Pastor of the Beloved Community Christian Church of God in Christ, located on Chicago's South Side. His Congressional career began in 1992, "I am not leaving the battlefield. I am going to be an activist as long as I'm here in the land of the living," he said.

Congressman Rush Leaving "On A High Note"

"I will be making my voice heard in the public realm, from the pulpit, in the community, and in the halls of power," Congressman Rush promised.  When asked if he has a successor in mind, he said he looks for a consensus candidate to emerge to take his place in the next election, but has not yet made an endorsement. So far, as many as five residents of the First Congressional District have expressed interest in the office.

"Im glad I'm leaving on a high note, and I'm sure my appeal to the voters will have an effect on their decision," Congressman Rush said regarding selecting his successor to run in the Midterm Election. 

Cong. Rush Changing Priorities From The Government To The Gospel

While the U.S. Congress is often divided by partisan politics, the church remains the one viable institution that can change the mindset of the people, Congressman Rush asserted. He first entered government service in 1983 when he won the election for Alderman of Chicago's 2nd Ward, a position he held until his victorious run for Congress in 1992.  During his 30 year tenure, Congressman Rush has introduced bills on issues from Conflict Resolution and Mediation, to Public Pensions and Community Development. In his second term he gained a seat on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is the current Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Committee's Energy Subcommittee. Here he stands with a few of those present who heard him state his decision to leave Congress and focus  on his church ministry. Photo by Marcus Robinson

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