SOUTH SIDE — Community activists will turn up the heat on their elected officials at a rabble rousing rally planned in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The “King Day” event is scheduled for 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday at West Point Missionary Baptist Church, 3566 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
The annual rally is organized by Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL), with help from an assortment of grassroots community organizations.
The idea, organizers say, is to get elected officials to commit to certain civic causes on the spot — in this case, that’ll be in front of a church packed with vocal constituents.
“We invite mainly the politicians who’ve been supporting our causes and ask them to commit to something publicly in front of 800 to 1,000 people,” said the Rev. Tom Gaulke, pastor of the First Lutheran Church of the Trinity. Gaulke helps oversee the Bridgeport Alliance and SOUL groups.
The community groups will come with their causes in tow, including the creation of a Cook County land bank for unused and foreclosed homes, restoration of service to the CTA’s 31st Street bus route, building a community-focused arts and recreation center in Bronzeville, and new federal funding for education and parks.
The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ, will deliver the keynote.
Dozens of local elected officials have been invited.
The Bridgeport Alliance group will provide bus transportation to the event from Benton House, 3052 S. Gratten Ave. Refreshments will be served at 1 p.m. and buses board at 2 p.m.
