Racist Fliers Condemned By Alderman, Diversity Group

CHICAGO, IL - The incident in which racist fliers headlined with the words "White Lives Matter" were found on the front windshields of cars parked on a Mount Greenwood block last week is under investigation by Chicago police as community leaders condemn both the content on the fliers and the act of distributing them in the neighborhood.

"The rhetoric espoused in this flier has no place in our community," 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea wrote in an email statement to ward residents on Thursday, about a week after a woman who lives on 110th and St. Louis informed him that she found about a dozen fliers that include links to websites that promote white supremacy.

"It does not reflect the values of our residents and will not be tolerated," O'Shea added, noting that he reported the incident to the Chicago Police Department and the city's Human Rights Commission immediately after the woman told him about what was found.

Police in the 22nd District are investigating the matter, which also generated a response from the Southwest Chicago Diversity Collaborative.

"SCDC is very glad to see Alderman O'Shea make it clear that this kind of hate has no place in our community. Silence suggests both complicity and permissiveness. It's up to all of us to speak up and out when racism occurs. We're also grateful to the Chicago Commission on Human Relations which responded immediately to this incident," the group wrote in a statement. "As SCDC continues to advocate for racial equity and justice in our community, residents should know that we are a resource for those who wish to advance our mutual goal of safety and justice for all 19th ward residents."

Scott Smith, a member of the SCDC, said the intent of the flyers that were distributed was "pretty clear."

"It's clear from the content of the flier that whoever was behind it - both the writing and distribution - that they believe there are certain groups of people, based on their religion, ethnicity or skin color, who should be removed from certain neighborhoods, cities and countries," Smith said.

"It's obvious that most people would find it offensive and contrary to human decency."

While similar materials have surfaced in recent months in nearby suburbs, including one recent account of a KKK recruiting flier making its way around Tinley Park, Smith says it's important to acknowledge all such occurrences.

"The worst thing to do is to let these things happen without acknowledging that they occurred," he said. "We need to point out that it happened and make it known that it's unwelcome in the neighborhood."

The SCDC group was created on social media more than three years ago as a way to promote racial unity and fight hate in and around the city's 19th Ward. Addressing incidents such as the racist flier in Mount Greenwood are priorities for the group.

Ways residents can help their mission can be simple.

"In small ways, it's about not being silent when someone makes a racist remark at a party, a park or a bar," Smith said. "Looking at someone and letting them know that they are going to be called out for it."

Smith said the SCDC will follow up with the 22nd District on the investigation into the fliers and continue to work with O'Shea and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations on advancing their mission.

O'Shea included two resources for residents who experience racial incidents in his statement condemning the fliers. The Cook County Sheriff hotline for reports of discrimination or hate crimes can be reached at 773-674-HELP and the Chicago Commission on Human Relations is available at 312-744-4111.

"Hatred has no home in the 19th Ward," the alderman wrote.

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