AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/author/admin/page/4/)
We wish you a healthy, joyous and happy new year. We are thankful to be serving the Austin community for another year. AustinTalks will soon be starting its 11th year of operation, providing news and information about the West Side.
The Leaders Network, a social justice group based on the West Side, sent letters earlier this week to four of Chicago’s U.S. House members demanding there be congressional hearings. The letter was sent to Reps. Danny K. Davis, Chuy García, Bobby Rush and Robin Kelly. Congressman Davis will meet with faith leaders Dec. 31.
AustinTalks wishes you and your family a happy, healthy holiday season, and a safe and prosperous 2021. Thank you for supporting AustinTalks, as we begin our 11th year of providing news and information to the Austin community.
This year, Kwanzaa will be held from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Each day, The Black Mall will live stream a five-hour celebration, from 4 to 9 p.m.
Black Lives Matters banners at two historical black churches were destroyed last weekend in the nation’s capital after a pro-Trump rally. Faith leaders – including Revs. Ira Acree and Marshall Hatch – want Rev. Graham, a Trump supporter, to condemn these actions. Clergy from Chicago will travel to Washington, D.C., next month to push for healing and reconciliation just days before Joe Biden becomes the 46th president.
Mothers Ona Mission28, an Austin group that provides support to survivors of violent crime, will be collecting toys for families that have been affected by violence or COVID-19. Bring unwrapped toys and gifts from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 19th to the Michele Lark High School parking lot at 5101 W. Harrison Ave. The toys and gifts can be dropped off from the safety of your car.
The tree displayed outside the 15th District police station at 5701 W. Madison St. was donated by ComEd after a city forester noticed several spruces planted a few miles away on the utility’s property. The tree that was donated was growing too close to power lines and could have at some point caused power disruptions.
See Christmas trees decorated in different cultures and meet others celebrating life on the West Side. The socially distanced event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 11 at 622 and 623 N. Lorel – two vacant lots that have been transformed into community gardens with the help of Block Club President Dollie Sherman. Refreshments will be served. Please, wear a mask.
Austin Coming Together is one of several organizations involved in a new initiative unveiled Monday by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago’s Office of Racial Equity and Justice. The “Together We Heal” initiative calls on all residents to play their part in fostering connection, restoration and learning around the topic of racial healing. Chicagoans are encouraged to join in this challenge by hosting candid conversations, healing circles and other activities. The challenge will run from now until the end of January with a culminating, virtual healing summit that will reflect on progress made and build a path forward together.
The 30th annual event – which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 12th at Columbus Park Refectory – will include Christmas gifts for children 12 and under. Space is limited to the first 200 families; the deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 7.