Protesters Erect Tent In Uptown Alderman's Yard To Blast Displacement Of The Homeless

By Stephen Gossett in News on Sep 21, 2017 8:55PM

A group of Chicagoans who are outraged over the displacement of homeless people in Uptown took their protest to the door of the neighborhood's alderman. The group last night set up an orange tent in the yard of Ald. James Cappleman (46th), making direct reference to the neighborhood's recently evicted "tent city."

The group set up the tent—which was spray-painted with messages such as "#Uptowntentcity," "Housing for All" and "Resign Alderman Cappleman"—at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday night on the lawn of the property, identified as the alderman's residence, according to a person familiar with the action.

The group stands in opposition to the treatment of Uptown's homeless, most notably residents of the so-called tent city who were displaced this week. The residents were told to leave as repairs were to begin on the bridge above their encampment. Activists and homeless demanded permanent housing, rather than temporary shelters, where some feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The group also accuses Cappleman of prioritizing luxury housing over affordable and public housing. (A controversial developer recently bought the Wilson Men's Hotel, and residents so far are unhappy with the transition.)

The aim is to "let people know that homeless people are never going to be invisible, no matter how much they don’t want people there," said Jes Scheinpflug, who is familiar with the group that staged the tent protest. Each ghost tent should serve as a reminder of the real lives who are caught up in the displacement, they added.

The homeless tent encampments have also been told to move at least three times since the initial move from the viaduct, according to advocates. Activists said that some homeless people had some belongings thrown out by law enforcement.

An activist was arrested on Wednesday morning in a lot in the 4900 block of North Sheridan Road, where homeless people had again set up encampment and again been asked to leave by police. The activist was charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal trespass "after being asked several times to leave the location and refusing to do so," police said. Supporters of the tent city residents had targeted the lot because the city's website stated there is no owner, Scheinpflug said. Police did not immediately confirm a complainant for the arrest call.

Tressa Feher, Chief of Staff for Ald. Cappleman, told Chicagoist that the he is "a staunch advocate" of affordable housing and homeless assistance. She cited the "housing first" program, which first provided permanent housing for 50 homeless people and another 19 later, she said. Feher said that most of the ward's Low Income Housing Trust Fund dollars go to Uptown, and also said that the ward has promoted with developers to work with the Chicago Housing Authority, but some pockets have poverty levels that are higher than CHA seeks to build.

This post has been updated.