I am a deeply concerned neighbor who lives near the encampment at Legion Park and I am calling on Alderman Nugent and the Parks District to cancel the CPD-enforced sweep of my unhoused neighbors on September 9th.

With news of federal agents invading our city as early as September 2nd, I will not stand idly by as my local electeds and park officials condone and help fuel this deliberate targeting of anyone deemed to be "removable."

I care about my neighbors’ well-being and while Alderman Nugent is normalizing Trump’s agenda to vilify those who are struggling in an environment where the cost of living is insurmountably high, healthcare is a luxury and access to public spaces is apparently only afforded by those who have wealth and property, I do not believe that “sweeping” my neighbors as if they are something to be disposed of makes me or anyone feel more safe in my community.

My unhoused neighbors need support in the form of affordable and public housing, mental health resources, harm reduction services and holistic care that does not criminalize them for living outside in public spaces, nor coerces them to choose between going to an overcrowded shelter or being forced to lose all of their possessions and start from nothing—or worse yet, be arrested or disappeared for simply trying to survive.

We the undersigned residents of the neighborhoods surrounding Legion Park, being aware that there are unhoused people living in Legion Park, and concerned about their ability to stay safe during the imminent federal takeover of our city, call on Alderman Samantha Nugent, the Park District and the Mayor's Office to heed and abide by the following demands:

Protect our communities—all of our communities—no matter where they were born or where they stay. Do not do Trump’s work for him by destroying encampments. There are other ways to maintain our parks and protect unhoused people than to forcibly displace them. Ald. Nugent, City officials, the Park District of Chicago and delegate agencies need to listen to local community members living near Legion Park and beyond who are most familiar with their neighbor's needs and find those other ways to commit to fighting Trump's illegal takeover of our city on every front.