Organized in Response to New Federal Administration’s Actions
Winnetka, IL, February 12, 2017–In response to several initiatives of the new administration, including the ban on immigration from seven Muslim majority countries, plans for a border wall with Mexico, encouraging “tougher” police tactics, and contentious cabinet member choices, Open Communities is hosting State of Our Communities, an interactive community discussion.
This event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Sunday, February 12, from 3:00 pm–5:00pm at 1120 W. Washington Avenue, Evanston, on the campus of St. Nicholas’ Church.
The event will be emceed by David Luna, Executive Director of Open Communities, who will be joined by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, and speakers from various community groups. “We need to work together to make our voices stronger”, said Luna, “and commit personally to promoting justice in our communities.”
The event invites community members to discuss and report back on three topics: their core values (This I Believe); what they stand against (This I Resist); and what actions they can take (This I Will Do).
In addition to Open Communities, the event is co-sponsored by: Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago, Latino Resources, Muslim Education Center, the Muslim Public Affairs Council, St. Nicholas Church, YWCA Evanston/North Shore.
State of Communities will also feature community activists representing various groups:
- Jes Scheinpflug, Open Communities
- Sergio Hernandez, Latino Engagement & Action Council
- Maaria Mozaffar, CAIR-Chicago-David Borris, Chicago Area Peace Action
- Eileen Heineman, YWCA Evanston/North Shore
- Michael Nabors, Second Baptist Church & Evanston Northshore NAACP
- Lesley Williams, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago.
More info: www.open-communities.org/all-event-list/sooc
About Open Communities
Founded in 1972, Open Communities is a nonprofit whose mission is to educate, advocate and organize to promote just and inclusive communities in north suburban Chicago. The agency works with current and prospective residents and local groups to promote economically and culturally diverse communities. Its work includes the investigation of fair housing discrimination and landlord/tenant complaints, foreclosure and predatory lending counseling and prevention, Homesharing, immigrant leadership development, fair housing education and advocacy, and grassroots organizing. Its service area comprises the northern Cook and southern Lake County municipalities of Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette, and Winnetka.
Source: http://www.open-communities.org
