Far Northwest Side neighbors bitterly shouted down city officials and each other during a divisive meeting convened Tuesday on a plan to house hundreds of migrants at Wilbur Wright College.
The nearly two-hour long session — hosted inside the same Wright College gymnasium into which the city’s asylum seekers could be moved as early as Saturday — began as standing-room only, after residents from Dunning, Portage Park and other nearby communities packed the bleachers and rows of fold-out chairs to pose questions and vent opposition.
Before the meeting kicked off, the crowd’s polarization was already reflected in the presence of pro-law enforcement Blue Lives Matter flags as well as rainbow posters reading: “A better Chicago starts with US!” City officials then began their briefing on the temporary shelter but were often drowned out by alternating waves of boos and applause. Lastly, a question-and-answer portion saw residents verbally clash over purported safety and public health concerns and whether Chicago is living up to its ideal as a sanctuary city.
