After interviewing Rick Rosales of CyclingxSolidarity, we continue to give a voice to the associations that organise solidarity and protection initiatives in Chicago for undocumented immigrants against ICE violence. This time we talk with Maria Orozco, Development Manager/ Outreach Coordinator of the Street Vendors Association Of Chicago.
What is the current situation in the city regarding ICE raids and the resistance of the population?
As of now here in Chicago, ICE raids have decreased a lot since December/January. Regardless of that, people are still being detained and vendors are still scared to go out to sell. It has been very tough and I know ICE is attacking Minneapolis and other cities, but everything is being censored and we have to do a really deep dive in order to receive that information.
Brandon Johnson, mayor of Chicago, has called ICE operations “militarized, reckless, and racist immigration enforcement.” Beyond these statements, has he taken steps like Zohran Mamdani in New York to protect immigrants in the city?
As a Sanctuary City I think that there is so much more that can be done to help protect our people as Mamdani is doing in New York. Back in January Johnson gave authorization to Chicago Police Department to document and investigate any illegal activity by federal immigration agents. Recently I went to a city meeting where they showed a body cam of a CPD officer helping and guiding federal agents, which is extremely frustrating and a slap on the face to all the people who live here in Chicago.
What are your activities to protect street vendors and immigrants in general?
Back in September we started a GoFundMe to distribute checks to our vendors across the city, since they were not going out to sell anymore. In Chicago alone we have over 6,000 registered vendors.
I got the idea from an organization in LA where they did the same, but they gave $500 gift cards to the vendors and we gave checks. We were able to raise over $640,000 from the community. We’ve had people from all over the country donate to our cause as well as people in the UK. Our gofundme is still open because we continue to support families and people that need the help. We’ve distributed more than 900 checks as of today. We have a very small organization, but we are trying our best to help out in any way possible.
In September I also received a message from Rick Rosales from CyclyingXsolidarity. Him and his team were already going to vendors’ homes to buy out their products. We partnered up and started the Bike vendor tour. Rick and his team handled the logistics with cyclists and I made sure to have the vendors ready for this experience. The vendors loved it since foot traffic had decreased by 80% and some were just too scared to go out during ICE Operation Midway Blitz. This gave them a little more relief and some more income that they did not expect.
Is there a coordination between associations and ordinary citizens to organize civil resistance to ICE?
We have what is called Rapid Response where citizens and people from organizations come together and will send out alerts to the community in a matter of minutes if there is any suspicious activity in the area. Every neighbourhood is very well coordinated. They have helped our community so much and I have so much respect for them, as they are also some very young people that are trying to protect and defend their communities from these thugs.
Do you have contacts with activists in other cities?
I have recently connected with an individual from Minneapolis who was interested in learning more about our GoFundMe and how we were able to distribute the funds to people. He had mentioned that businesses are being boarded up because the owners have not been found ( detained), people aren’t leaving their homes due to fear and “agents” and they are breaking and entering homes with no judicial warrant. I mentioned to him that we have been censored from everything that is happening there, in Arizona and in Georgia. I also mentioned that we got our idea from Los Angeles and this is exactly how we help each other city to city and fight back, as we the people have the power!
In Italy, there have been strong protests against the presence of ICE agents at the Winter Olympics as escorts for US officials and athletes, and there is a lot of interest and solidarity for your resistance. Is there anything we can do to help you?
We really appreciate the help and support. Please do not stop talking about us and what is happening in our “perfect” country. We are censored and are being oppressed. We are run by elites and they want to put the people against each other. This isn’t about the left vs. the right. This isn’t about republicans vs. Democrats. This is about the people Vs. Evil and once people realize that then things will really take a turn and not just here in the U.S, but around the whole world.
What gives you the strength to continue your solidarity action in the midst of so much violence?
My faith in Jesus Christ is what gives me the strength to keep fighting for the most vulnerable people. We are told to love our neighbours and I will do just that and keep defending them no matter where they come from or what they have. I know God has put me exactly where I need to be to help advocate for those that are too scared too. I have been blessed with a mouth to speak on the truth, with eyes to see the reality, and a heart that holds empty for all mankind.
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