To Father Pfleger On Protests For The Homeless: 'Don't Shut Up'

By John W. Fountain

I STOOD, SNAPPING PHOTOGRAPHS outside the exclusive downtown Union League of Chicago on a brisk winter’s morning as protestors marched, carrying signs and miniature orange tents, and chanting, their voices ringing amid the traffic.

Their mantra was simple: “No Money For Homelessness, No Democratic Convention.”

The protest, organized by the Faith Community of St. Sabina, commenced as Democrats reportedly held a planning meeting inside the Union League. Activists cited a surge in homelessness across the city, exacerbated, according to experts, by the rise in the migrant population within the last four years that has impacted even the south suburbs and an apparent lack of public funds to address the crisis.

The protestors, among them Father Michael L. Pfleger, senior pastor of St. Sabina, called for cancellation of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. At least they asserted that it should not be held here unless Democrats and President Joe Biden provide significant funding that addresses the current crisis for the unhoused in the Windy City and across America.

“We say to the government, ‘If you want to come into Chicago and you want to come and you want to come in and do a big convention where millions of dollars are spent on parties, and on lobbyists and on hotels and on restaurants, well come also with billions of dollars and a commitment to do something with homelessness in America,’” Pfleger said, standing in front of the Union League on Feb. 15.

“We don’t want you to come here and spend millions and leave here and we’ve got the same damn situation when you came here,” Pfleger added.

Like Sandpaper

IT IS THEIR RIGHT to protest. Though undoubtedly the potential threat of Pfleger, St. Sabina and others marring the Democratic National Convention with marches this summer undoubtedly has already begun to rub some Democrats’ skin like coarse political sandpaper.

Particularly as Biden remains in a close race with Donald Trump for the U.S. presidency. And especially amid what may be the most important election of our lifetime, with our very democracy potentially at risk, and with the importance of Democrats presenting a united front and averting anything that might discourage or dissuade fellow Dems from showing up at the polls in November.

There is clearly the fear that Biden’s already low approval rating, reflective, in part, of his disconnection from Black voters—and of Black voters’ disenchantment with the Democratic Party—might cause some to flip parties or else to simply choose to stay home, which would hurt Biden and help Trump.

Biden’s approval rating, according to a Gallup Poll, in late February was 38 percent, “just one point shy of his all-time low and well below the 50% threshold that has typically led to reelection for incumbents.”

The outcome of the November election is anybody’s guess. I have no predictions—even if I do have fears over the very real possibility of Donald Trump being reelected. I hope—tongue-in-cheek—that the looming full solar eclipse on April 8, is not a sign of a looming global tragedy on Nov. 5: Reelection of the man impeached for inciting an attack on American democracy.

The weight of whether Biden emerges as winner or not, however, does not fall just on democratic voters. It is incumbent upon Democratic Party leaders and Biden to win voters over with policy and not just campaign promises. With solutions to issues and problems currently playing in HD far beyond the Beltway on streets across America, even here in Chicago with scenes of tent cities beneath viaducts; of the bodies of those who lie beneath blankets in broad daylight on downtown streets; of long lines of homeless men, women and children seeking food, clothing and shelter.

It is for these people that Pfleger and the St. Sabina faithful stand in the gap between humanity and inhumanity, petitioning Democrats, the federal government and Biden for help.

The issue of homelessness in Chicago is not new. Indeed some analysts and observers point to systemic and historic racism, which they say is evident in the homeless service system’s prioritization of white people over Black and brown people, particularly Black mothers who are seen as less vulnerable.

Nationwide more than 650,000 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. in 2023, a 12 percent spike of more than 70,000 people the previous year, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

An estimated 68,440 people experienced homelessness in 2021 with Blacks comprising 56 percent of the total number of people who experienced homelessness in 2020, according to the Chicago Coalition for The Homeless. About 65 percent of those homeless were “couch surfers,” meaning temporarily living with others.

Since August 2022, more than 30,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago, according to city officials. At least 12,000 are reportedly in shelters currently, although the city of Chicago is set to begin evictions from its migrant shelters, enforcing its 60-day policy. Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday announced some exceptions to the city’s eviction policy.

Regarding homelessness, the heart of the issue, however, is not Black versus brown, or “us” versus “them,” says Pfleger, but of restoring our own humanity. To sufficiently address homelessness and to help all of those most in need.

“I said this to the governor’s office, I’ve said this to the mayor’s office, I’ve said this to the President’s office: Stop talking about what we’re going to do for migrants…

“No, it’s homeless. Whether you or are Black or whether you are brown, whether you grew up in Chicago or you came across the border,” Pfleger said. “If you are homeless in Chicago, we need to take care of you.”

'Don't Shut Up'

I COULD NOT AGREE more. For I believe it is our moral and duty to help the least of these. That no one should have to live on the streets in America, in tent cities, beneath viaducts, or otherwise have to endure homelessness or hunger.

I believe that America is better than this. And like, Pfleger, that if we can find money for wars and bombs and the decimation of humanity, we must find the funds, commitment and heart to uplift humanity.

I am also of the mind that the political voice and the prophetic voice most often are at odds. That the truth often pricks and disturbs, offends, the status quo, does not arise at the most convenient or politically correct time. Aware that there are those who wish that Pfleger would just shut up.

To Father Pfleger I say, ‘Please, don’t.’ Not until they stand up to lift up the homeless and address this issue that cuts to the heart and soul of our collective humanity as a nation. ‘Don’t shut up.’

And this: ‘Before I would ever write one word to the contrary, I would lay down my camera—and my pen—as a journalist to join you, my brother, in protest in the same vein because your cause is righteous, just and humane.

Email: [email protected]

TO READ MORE FROM JOHN FOUNTAIN, VISIT:
https://johnwfountain.substack...