Updated following ICE deployment through the city of Chicago and state of Illinois:
Our communities are facing escalating violence and intimidation from federal immigration officers. CPC believes that no human is illegal, and we keep us safe.
CPC events occur primarily on private property at Haymarket House. Both CPC and Haymarket exercise our right as private organizations to deny federal immigration officers access to our event location, offices, and the attached private parking lot. When not at Haymarket House, CPC is only programming events on private property in which the owner also agrees to exercise this same right to deny access. We follow suit with the recent executive order from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
At our events, attendees are briefed on our safety plans at the start, which have been agreed upon by our event staff. All staff members have a set role to play in creating the greatest safety for our community possible. All events also feature free whistles, whistly info sheets, and know your rights (KYR) cards.
We will do everything within our power to keep those who engage with our organization in any capacity safe. As part of that work our staff attends safety trainings both specific to arts venues and ICE (via LCA) as well as ICIRR and OCAD training opportunities. Annually we update our organizational documentation regarding ICE and CPS to ensure our that our teaching artists and broader community have relevant and up to date safety information. We encourage all to know your rights, learn and share training opportunities, connect with your neighbors, and report sightings to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) at 855-435-7693.