Whittier Elementary Vigil To Be Held Saturday Afternoon
By Jon Graef in News on Aug 17, 2013 8:15PM
Pilsen community members will hold a vigil starting at 4 p.m. at Whittier Elementary, 23rd St. and Damen Ave., to demand a new fieldhouse be built, according to a news release.
The vigil comes after the "La Casita" community fieldhouse was razed Saturday morning and protesters were arrested.
Supporters of La Casita began gathering last night when a demolition crew arrived unannounced at Whittier with orders to demolish the fieldhouse. They staged an overnight protest, attempting to stop the destruction of La Casita. In 2010, parents held a 43-day sit-in to turn the unused fieldhouse at Whittier Elementary into the La Casita community center and library. "Alderman Solis and Chicago Public Schools have broken every commitment they have ever made to this community," says Gema Gaete, a Whittier community member. "We demand a new fieldhouse. The community will not stand by and let them turn Whittier's land into a playground for private school kids. The Mayor and Alderman [Danny] Solis are engaged in ethnic cleansing, trying to push low-income Latino students out of this neighborhood." Alderman Solis and Chicago Public Schools officials promised to meet with Whittier parents this morning, but later refused to meet with parents at the school.
The news release says eight protestors were arrested, and are being held at the District 10 police station, located at 3315 W. Ogden Ave. A defense fund has been set up, and you can donate here if you are so inclined.