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The Chicago Activist, Issue #536
CAIR-Chicago's Newsletter
Table of Contents:
- Civil Rights Digest
- In the Press
- Outreach in the Community
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KYR & Essential Resources | Navigating the New Administration from ICE Raids to Protests
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Introducing the CAIR-Chicago Litigation Clinic! | |
CAIR-Chicago is expanding its fight for social justice with the launch of our Litigation Clinic in 2025 and beyond. Led by Legal Director Heena Musabji, this new initiative will provide law clerks, staff and volunteer attorneys with hands-on experience in impact litigation, from pre-trial preparation to courtroom advocacy and post-litigation strategy. We are proud to welcome back a CAIR-Chicago alum, Christina Abraham, as the clinic's litigation lead!
With your support, we can empower the next generation of civil rights defenders. Donate today to help fund our legal actions: CAIR Legal Fund.
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Join Our Team!
Civil Rights Dept. Hiring a Staff Attorney
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CAIR-Chicago is seeking a Staff Attorney to join our Civil Rights Department and help fight against discrimination and hate crimes.
To apply please send a Cover Letter, Writing Samples (limited to 15 pages), and Resume to Legal Director, Heena Musabji at hmusabji@cair.com
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Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL 3rd District) Visits CAIR-Chicago | |
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We had the honor of hosting Rep. Delia Ramirez at our offices this week to discuss how representatives and nonprofits can work together to support and protect immigrant communities amid ongoing ICE raids in Chicago.
We are grateful for Rep. Ramirez’s tireless advocacy, including the passage of S. Res. 847, the Wadee Resolution, in September 2024—an important step in addressing anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic hate crimes following the tragic murder of 6-year-old Wadee Al Fayoumi in October 2023.
Stay tuned for more content with Rep. Delia coming soon!
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Stevenson High School District 125 officials said Tuesday they will institute policy changes after a pro-Palestinian student group was required to cover up and remove “false and inaccurate information” in their school cultural fair display over the weekend.
The students’ poster board identified “Palestine located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River,” and an image depicting colors of a watermelon — which has been used in protests and artwork as its colors match the Palestinian flag — overlaying the borders of Israel…
READ MORE: www.dailyherald.com/20250128/education/stevenson-high-promises-policy-changes-after-palestinian-display-draws-objections/
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A parent's eyewitness testimony on the aggressive adult harassing students. | |
The students' Palestine booth. | |
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Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of the Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, sent a letter to district officials Tuesday asking that Stevenson be a “sacred space” for the free expression of conscience and that differences be negotiated through debate.
Whatever review processes are put in place going forward, Rehab said they should be equitable for all groups.
“Here we have a situation where it is attempting to silence and confiscate people’s freedom of expression,” Rehab said.
He questioned if there would be the same reaction if a Russian group objected to a Ukrainian student putting up a map that included Crimea as part of Ukraine.
“That map means what they mean it to mean … the legacy of Palestinians is throughout this whole land,” Rehab said. “Their stories are throughout this whole land, their ancestry throughout this whole land. This isn’t even a political statement. This is a cultural reality and historical reality.”
Both sides are expected to be at the next school board meeting Feb. 10.
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Felony hate crime and battery charges against a Skokie man arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in 2023 have been dropped, but he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and a Cook County judge ordered him to volunteer at a mosque and attend anti-hate training provided by an Islamic nonprofit, according to a Jan. 17 court record...
As part of Ebert’s sentencing, Judge Paul Pavlus ordered him to pay a $1,100 fine, attend a “tolerance/anti-hate” class from the Council on American Islamic Relations and volunteer for two hours at a local mosque before March 29. For the next two years, Ebert will be under court supervision and he will need to complete 50 hours of community service, which cannot be done at a synagogue, per the court order.
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Community members brought their concerns to the Maine Township High School Dist. 207 Board of Education over a department chair’s classroom assignments touching on dehumanization and genocide...
“If we are going to take the lessons of the Holocaust, it deserves to be more. We need to understand that ‘never again’ means we have to speak out against all genocides that are happening,” said Joseph Miburn from the Council on American Islamic Relations. “Other genocides have happened since the Holocaust and before the Holocaust. What she (Jaber) did is simply allow the Holocaust to be discussed among other genocides.”
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Good News Alert! Chicago City Council Rejects Attack on Sanctuary Protections
On Wednesday January 15th, the Chicago City Council voted 39-11 to reject Ordinance O2023-0004222, a dangerous proposal that would have rolled back the Welcoming City Ordinance by allowing local police to collaborate with ICE. This resounding defeat upholds Chicago’s long-standing commitment to being a sanctuary city, protecting immigrant communities, and maintaining constitutional rights.
CAIR-Chicago’s Communications Coordinator, Jordan Esparza-Kelley, was among the speakers who delivered public comments ahead of the vote, saying:
"CAIR-Chicago currently has 40-50 open asylum cases—what do we tell these people and families if we don’t remain a sanctuary? Plus, our economy cannot handle mass deportations. We as Chicagoans must direct our energy and organizing toward those who are actually oppressing and divesting from us. It is easy to turn new migrants into an enemy for residents...It is wrong to change this bill and reject people seeking a better life, and it would severely limit my organization’s ability to take on new immigration and asylum cases."
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With the Trump administration ramping up deportations, the alders' vote sends a clear message: Chicago will not be complicit in federal anti-immigrant crackdowns. CAIR-Chicago and dozens of partner organizations are dedicated to protecting our immigrant communities with legal support and essential Know Your Rights training. See how your alder voted below: | |
ACTION ALERT: Stop the Censorship of Art in Chicago | |
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Chicago’s Cultural Center is facing pressure to censor an art installation that highlights the U.S. and Israel’s role in the ongoing violence in Gaza. Twenty-seven alderpeople have called for the immediate removal of the piece, US-Israel War Machine, despite its clear role as protest art—a longstanding tradition in social justice movements.
This is not just about one artwork. It is about protecting freedom of speech and the right to dissent. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has already altered the display by removing its title and death count, replacing it with a “sensitive content” warning. This sets a dangerous precedent for silencing marginalized voices and erasing narratives of protestors who are standing up for human rights and defending the dehumanization of the Palestinian people.
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As we navigate the new Trump administration and see an intensified ICE presence throughout Chicagoland, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and protect yourself—and your fellow community members.
That’s why we’ve launched our Know Your Rights & Essential Resources web portal, a one-stop guide to handling ICE raids, protests, law enforcement encounters, and more. Whether you're an immigrant concerned about deportation or a protester defending your First Amendment rights, this page provides critical legal and community support at your fingertips.
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What’s Inside?
✅ Immigrant Rights Center – Access legal aid for refugee/asylum and immigration cases
✅ Know Your Rights (KYR) Guides – Learn how to deal with ICE at home, work, or in public spaces. Request a KYR Workshop.
✅ Printable KYR Cards & One-Pagers – Available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Bangla, Urdu, Farsi, Pashto, Punjabi, Nepali, Hindi, Russian, Tagalog, and more!
✅ Traveler’s Assistance Project – Submit your flight details to get real-time legal support at www.tapus.org
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How to Access
Visit www.cairchicago.org/protectingyourrights or find it at the top announcement bar of our homepage. You can also access it under the "Projects" tab.
Stay Updated
Follow us on social media for new resources, community events, and urgent updates! Share the following graphic:
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