We Helped Shut Down Chicago's 2016 Olympic Bid!
The Olympics have meant displacement everywhere they have been. Over 30,000 people, mostly black, were displaced in Atlanta the last time the Olympic Games were held in the U.S.. Over two million people have been displaced in the last twenty years by the Olympics. Mayor Daley wanted the Olympic Stadium to be right in the middle of Washington Park, an historic park that has been a cultural home especially to the African-American community for generations. Besides displacing family reunions, cricket games, soccer games and a host of other important community events, locating this stadium in Washington Park would have furthered the already rapid process of gentrification and displacement in the surrounding neighborhoods, where developers continue scooping up large amounts of land.IOC gives credence to Olympics displacement concerns - Chicago Defender April 15, 2009
"Several Chicago protest groups voiced their concerns about displacement during the IOC's visit including No Games Chicago, which met with the evaluation group."
Oprah and Chicago Olympics: IOC evaluators arrive to test city's bid for 2016 Games and will dine with Oprah Winfrey- Chicago Tribune April 13, 2009
"The group No Games Chicago, which is opposed to spending on the Olympics rather than on housing, transit and education, drew about 200 protesters..."
Mayor Daley Does Some Spring Cleaning - The Windy Citizen by Adam Verwymeren April 3rd 2009
"Mayor Daley spent the day doing a little spring cleaning. He headed over to Harper High School to pick up some trash. In the afternoon, he went to Grant Park where he awakened the Buckingham Fountain from its winter slumber..."
Protesters come out against Olympics - Chicago Public Radio
"Protesters are planning several days of demonstrations against Chicago's Olympic Bid... An estimaded 300 to 400 people opposed to the Games marched from Daley Plaza to the Chicao 2016 headquarters."
Chicago spruces up for IOC visit - Chicago Public Radio
"Deborah Taylor, with the advocacy group Southside Together Organizing for Power, [said] 'Well they don't want to disclose how much it is costing, because it's going to cost the city too much, and they know there's too many needs going on right now that are being unfulfilled for them to take that money and spend it on the Olympics."
IOC delegation met by protests in Chicago - Associated Press
"Protesters took their causes to the streets Thursday as an International Olympic Committee delegation arrived in Chicago - its first stop among four cities vying to host the 2016 Summer Olympics... The opposition group, which believes the Games are bad for cities financially and can displace thousands of people, says money and energy directed at the Olympic movement should go towards schools, hospitals and transportation."
In Chicago, Olympic Opponents Organize - Washington Post
"While the city has been repaving roads, cleaning up parks and getting support from its most famous resident, President Obama, protests are planned by residents who fear the Games could leave Chicago in debt, displace poor people, destroy historic buildings, tear up parks, disturb migratory birds..."
Groups Argue Against Chicago's Olympic bid - ABC 7 Chicago
"We don't want to be displaced. We don't want to be gentrified."