Seven years ago an explosion in Evanston’s southwest Ninth Ward rocked the homes of some nearby residents. Highly flammable and combustible materials were densely packed behind the Home Depot plaza, particularly along Pitner and Hartrey avenues. Residents in this area, already subject to heavy air pollution, truck traffic, litter, and toxic fumes, worry about the […]
Category: Social Justice
Posted inArt & Life
Evanston’s Annual Juneteenth Parade and Celebrations Draw Hundreds
Evanston’s Juneteenth Parade and Celebration kicked off at 11 a.m. on June 19, with Grand Marshals Cheryl Judice and Jason Powell. Presented by Evanston Present and Future in partnership with the City of Evanston, Evanston’s Juneteenth commemoration continued with a celebration lineup that included speakers, muralists, musical and spoken word performances, drumming, poetry, and dance. Cheers, […]
Posted inArt & Life
A Look at Reparations From Three Faiths
Continuing their covenant to combat racism and confront the truth about their own past histories, two local churches will take the lead at noon on June 20 in a discussion of reparations from the perspectives of Judaism, Buddhism, and Christianity. The covenant between Lake Street Church and Second Baptist Church was forged decades ago to […]
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Evanston Fight for Black Lives Hosts Book Drive for Incarcerated People
Evanston Fight for Black Lives will host a book drive for incarcerated people from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 20 at Larimer Park, the corner of Ridge and Crain. Before books are accepted, they must first be approved through the organization. The deadline for approval is June 18, and no hardcover books may […]
Posted inCity News
The Five-Fifths TIF Aims to Enhance Black Businesses in the Fifth Ward
The June 3 meeting of the Joint Review Board to consider a recommendation on the Five-Fifths tax-increment financing TIF district attracted nearly twice the typical number of interested residents. They raised questions about the possible developments in the proposed TIF district, opening up the possibilities of robust discussions at the July 12 public hearing and […]
Posted inArt & Life
Library’s Summer Calendar is Packed with Outdoor Events, Hosted in Parks Across Evanston
The Evanston Public Library takes its programming outside for the 2021 summer. The upcoming calendar boasts block parties, ward festivals, gatherings in parks, events for teens, programs in Spanish, and more. The library’s engagement team is eager to involve the community in more library events, and since Evanston is still emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
Posted inArt & Life
Hovland Court Block Party Rejuvenates Neighborhood Spirit
Over the sound of speakers playing the song “Candy” by the band Cameo, community members and friends alike gathered on June 5 for a block party at Hovland Court that was full of jubilant music, laughter, and joy. In the wake of the violence that took place on that street in March, resulting in the deaths […]
Posted inArt & Life
Northwestern Campus Workers March for a Contract
Veronica Reyes, an Evanston resident, has worked as a cashier and on the food service line at Northwestern University for 11 years. She says she values her job and especially her co-workers and students, whom she calls “family.” But at her $14.05-an-hour salary she has barely been able to keep up with expenses – a situation that […]
Posted inArt & Life
Evanston LGBTQ Organization Prepares for June Pride Celebration
A number of Evanstonians, who recently banded together to create a new community LGBTQ pride organization, unveiled plans for a Pride Month celebration at the end of June. The function of Evanston Pride, Inc., according to its organizational website, “is to organize and support the full spectrum of local LGBTQIA+ community members through specialized programming […]
Posted inCity News
Compass Food Service Workers at Northwestern University March for Fair Wages
Campus food service and conference center workers who work for Compass Group marched on June 3 for fair wages for every worker back on the job. Cooks, cashiers, and housekeepers who survived the COVID-19 pandemic called on Compass Group to do better. Compass released the following statement: “‘I’ve worked as a cashier and on the […]