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Walk-up testing is available June 23 and 24 for anyone wanting to be tested for the coronavirus. The testing site will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the Austin Health Center, 4814 W. Chicago Ave.
Most days of the week, there are food pantries and other organizations offering help to West Side residents in need. Find the list here.
There are a number of activities being held throughout Chicago’s West Side to mark Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Students can apply for more than 400 programs in the arts, communication, leadership, sports and STEM that begin the week of July 6. Teens will earn a stipend between $336 and $850 depending on the length and level of expertise required for the program.
During Thursday’s event, organized by Action Now, leaders from community groups spoke about the need to empower black neighborhoods, heal divisions and affect lasting change. Deborah Harris, executive director of Action Now, said while they needed to “serve people right then and there,” the bigger mission is to start “rebuilding unity in the black community, rebuilding power in the black community, rebuilding resources of the black community.”
To every person who needed to see buildings burning before doing something about racism, welcome to the movement, writes Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford. To everyone who felt uncomfortable speaking on race issues, welcome to the movement. To every corporation who made their first statement in support of Black lives, welcome to the movement. To every young person who took to the streets in protest for basic human rights, you are the movement. Keep pushing.
If true reforms do not happen right away, we need to eliminate our current system, writes state Rep. La Shawn Ford. The Austin lawmaker says this is not about individual police officers or bad apples; this is about a system that is inherently flawed.
Several elected officials, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, will be in Austin Thursday afternoon for a day of action. Stop by Cicero and Monroe from 3 to 5 p.m. June 4. Masks, food and water will be available.
All are invited to gather at 1 p.m. June 4 at the former Emmet School, at the corner of Madison and Central, to pray and organize. Each of us is needed to restore justice and peace; rebuild West Side businesses; reduce violence and COVID-19; and strengthen relationships. Thursday’s event is sponsored by the Westside Health Authority, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, Alds. Chris Taliaferro and Emma Mitts, and faith-based leaders.
Volunteers are need to help clean up debris after many Austin businesses were damaged and looted in the wake of protests over the killing of Floyd George. You are needed at any of three sites: 10 a.m. at Lake and Laramie, 12 p.m. at Lacrosse and Maypole, and 2 p.m. at Lavergne and Washington. Bring your own cleaning supplies if you can. Help your community.