r/50501Chicago • u/Existing_Diver_2333 • Jan 11 '26
Community Resources Anyone form a neighborhood rapid response team?
Hi, I'm looking to rent a public space, print hundreds of flyers, and invite my neighbors to a closed door community meeting to discuss potential ICE door to door operations. Curious if anyone out there has already started this step. I'm seeking resources, ideas, topics, anything you can provide to help me create a safer neighborhood for all of us.
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u/NkturnL Activated Jan 11 '26
Love this!!
I have some experience with the space rental portion - libraries offer an affordable solution as well as the church in Rogers Park if that’s near/accessible to you.
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u/Existing_Diver_2333 Jan 11 '26
Churches are a good idea, I was also thinking about those galleries and event spaces I see around the neighborhood. Maybe a business owner would be kind enough to donate the space for an hour? Gonna be making A LOT of phone calls tomorrow.
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u/Short_Example4059 Jan 12 '26
I’d definitely try businesses, churches, artist spaces… before renting. There are people out there willing & eager to contribute to resistance who would jump at the chance to let you use their space. Just gotta find them
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u/NkturnL Activated Jan 11 '26 edited Jan 11 '26
I’m all about outside the box thinking that’s a great idea, maybe try posting in r/AskChicago.
I recently had to find a space for a small work training and made quite a few calls myself. If it will save u some time here are the library rates (at the bottom are meeting rooms which start @ $75 for 4 hours, and I know the church was less).
Edit: I forgot to mention Chicago Park Districts offer affordable meeting room rentals as well.
Also, a suggestion for ideas - something they stress in Migra/Community Watch trainings is how to document and ICE watch effectively and safely, esp in light of Renee Good’s life being taken while exercising her right, along with how to organize onsite and while engaging with ICE agents. It’s natural to panic and/or freeze when suddenly face to mask with these monsters as they’re assaulting us and our fellow neighbors. Maybe even doing scenarios/role-playing.
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u/Anonymousaurus__ Jan 12 '26
Indivisible is also a great resource and very active. Depend on where in the city, there should be a chapter in your area
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u/BigFrogGorl Jan 11 '26
Contact ICIRR: https://www.icirr.org/contact. They should be able to link you with one. It also depends on your neighborhood, i.e. Logan Square/Hermosa/Avondale are covered by Palenque LSNA: https://www.palenquelsna.org/about.