South Shore Citizens Skeptical, Defiant
Over 200 neighbors from the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Wards packed the room at the South Shore Cultural Center on July 15.
Many in the crowd were distrustful of the city and business interests which have backed the Olympic bid. “Oprah and all those people who gave money do not speak for us,” one woman said, referring to Chicago 2016’s deep-pocketed donors. “I hope I’m not bursting your bubble, but you’re not getting your Olympics.”
Many expressed dismay that the plan for the Olympics was being pushed and funded by wealthy patrons from Chicago’s business world who would not be accountable at the polls should the Games not bring the jobs and economic development promised by Chicago 2016.
“Who on this committee is a politician?” said another woman, one of many eager to heap scorn on the city’s political class, which was repeatedly accused of being “corrupt” by the audience.
Whew! Getting hot out there, isn’t it? We urge ALL Chicago citizens to go to these 2016-run meetings and raise some hell. They are playing with OUR money and they want to destroy OUR parks. Don’t let them get away with it!
At the July 13th forum in the 39th ward, the questions were very pointed and the answers very vague. The great majority of people were against the Olympics! Ryan looked as though his face was going to crack!
I think a lot of people see this as elites forcing their way onto us. The same thing happened in London; the majority of people didn’t want the games and they were forced down their throats. Not to mention the massive displacement the construction is causing.