The Chicago Alliance Calls on the Movement to Stand With Progressive Alder Byron Sigcho-Lopez Who is Facing Right-Wing Attacks for Solidarity with Palestine

We in the Chicago Alliance are calling on all progressive forces in the movement and in city council to stand with 25th ward alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez as he endures attacks from the far right in this city. Earlier this week, a band of the most pro status quo aldermen in city council, including Raymond Lopez, Nick Sposato, Anthony Napolitano, Debra Silverstein, and also shamefully joined by west side alderman Chris Taliaferro, came out and attacked 25th ward alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez for speaking at a rally in which an American flag was burned well before he even arrived. 

Not only did Byron himself say he wasn’t there when the flag was burned, the event organizers did, too. So as far as we’re concerned, there is no factual basis for these reactionary city councilors’ attempt to censure Byron. Make no mistake that this isn’t just an attack on Byron, but this is an attack on our progressive movement as a whole. We know that these alders coming out against Byron is an attempt to roll back the gains our movement has made. 

After all, Byron was one of the staunchest supporters of the ceasefire resolution that passed in city council in February. Byron was also appointed by Mayor Johnson as the chair of the City Council Housing Committee, where he’s in a prime position to push forward progressive advancements for housing in Chicago. Bearing all of this in mind, it’s no surprise then that what these status quo aldermen are demanding is for Byron to resign from his seat as chair of the Housing Committee. This is them trying to take back what our movement has won.

This is why we’re calling on all those who support progressive change in this city to stand with Byron as he endures these reactionary attacks.

All power to the people!

Free Palestine!