Chicago Tribune

Journey for Justice Alliance tells Congress it’s ‘Equity or Else’ when it comes to quality of life for all

Shannon Bennett, center, of the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, talks to a group boarding a bus to travel to Washington, D.C., for the Equity or Else Campaign festival, Sept. 22, 2022.

On Thursday, Jitu Brown, national director for Journey for Justice Alliance (J4J), queried people at the nation’s capital with questions like: “Raise your hand if you’ve ever experienced a slumlord. Raise your hand if you live in a neighborhood where you don’t have a decent hospital. Raise your hand if you’ve ever witnessed or experienced police brutality. Raise your hand if you live in a neighborhood where the grocery store functions as the liquor store.” Voices raised in affirmation with each question Brown posed.

The national network of dozens of intergenerational, grassroots community organizations traveled to Washington from Chicago last week on behalf of the campaign Equity or Else Quality of Life agenda, a platform centered on addressing basic needs for those in poverty and/or marginalized communities through policy initiatives.

J4J kick-started the coalition in 2012 (and launched the campaign

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune3 min read
Cubs' Christopher Morel Appears To Avoid Injury In Collision During 17-0 Blowout Loss To Red Sox
BOSTON — Chicago Cubs third baseman Christopher Morel’s all-out effort to snag a popup down the left-field line at Fenway Park nearly ended in disaster. Morel’s pursuit of a shallow fly ball off the bat of Red Sox center fielder Jarren Duran in the b
Chicago Tribune3 min read
Review: ‘Uncle Vanya’ On Broadway Leaves A Talented Cast Stranded
NEW YORK — Filled with sad-sack characters living lives of soul-sucking boredom, Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” ain’t ever a walk in the park to produce or, for that matter, to watch. Still, the new Lincoln Center production from the typically reliabl
Chicago Tribune10 min read
After 25 Years Of Selling Tamales In Chicago, An Undocumented Immigrant Mother Returns To Mexico Without Her Family
Claudia Perez’s children could count on one hand the number of times they had seen their father cry. The day their mother left was one of them. Perez had worked her whole life for a dream that did not come true: Save enough money to take her family b

Related Books & Audiobooks