Community Voice: ‘Protests are part of the American DNA’
Protest is embedded in the DNA of U.S. history, fueling the fight for civil rights and social justice. Illustration by Ayla Mortado
By Gerardo Nava
People find strength in organizing, especially when it addresses a community's needs or concerns. It's important to recognize that protests are essential and deeply rooted in human history—they played a crucial role in the formation of the United States.
According to WBEZ Cook County has the largest Palestinian population among all U.S. counties. More than 18,000 Palestinians live in the county including Cicero and Berwyn.
“Like every Palestinian family, mine is deeply impacted by Israel's brutal military occupation and the genocide that's underway in Gaza. We worry about the safety and well-being of our loved ones every day, and we pray for those who have been killed, injured and dispossessed of their land,” said State Representative Abdelnasser Rashid who represents areas of Berwyn and Cicero.
Israel’s ongoing attacks in Palestine since October 2023, after Hamas launched an attack during a music festival, have inspired many residents and citizens throughout the United States and the world to call for a ceasefire.
Cicero and Berwyn residents have supported different forms of resistance, including protests near O'hare International Airport. Protestors blocked traffic on vital main roads and highways to disrupt travel around the country in order to draw attention to the issue.
“Protests are part of the American DNA. Our country's founding was through protest against monarchy, and protest movements have been instrumental in achieving civil rights and social justice for so many marginalized groups,” Rashid said. “The movement for Palestinian rights should be embraced. The protests will become unnecessary when the United States government does the right thing and stops arming Israel and uplifts Palestinian freedom and human rights.”
Residents of the U.S. need to understand that families are being exterminated with our tax dollars, which also include Cicero taxpayers. According to Foreign Assistance, Israel receives over 3.3 billion dollars a year annually from the U.S.
“It is shameful that we are providing billions of dollars of military funding to the Israeli government, rather than putting American taxpayer dollars to use to lift people out of poverty, provide healthcare, improve education and many other critical priorities,” said Rashid
The money spent through our military could have been used to fix our infrastructure, such as repairing highways, upgrading buildings and enhancing education.
These resources could have also wiped out college debt or ensured teachers are paid effectively. Also, those funds could have been directed to support the conditions of hospitals, provide aid to residents in emergencies, or provide housing support for many residents and citizens of this country all live in. For instance, Cicero continues to face immense floods, such as the one we experienced last July, that damaged many of our homes.
We must remind our government continually that they need to speak out against this violence.
Change can only happen if people take action to reach out to your neighbors and then to other members of the community to be part of the conversation. Once the community has the strength and presence to put pressure on the town, things will move in a better direction. Even if the work feels challenging at the end, the payoff will benefit us all and the future generations as well.
Gerardo Nava is a longtime resident, dedicated bilingual teacher, and community activist committed to uplifting his neighborhood. With a focus on teaching history and providing knowledge on important information, he actively works to empower local voices and create a more informed perspective in the community he calls home.
Our “Community Voice” section gives Cicero and Berwyn residents an opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences and opinions. Information is fact-checked for accuracy. To contribute a “Community Voice” article email info@ciceroindependiente.com.
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