Looking ahead to the 250th Independence Day (July 4), CRS further recognizes the sacrifices and resilience of our ancestors who carried the promise of liberty forward, even when it was unjustly denied to them. Yet much work remains until freedom truly flies.

CRS grieves with the Islamic Center of San Diego and communities across our nation and world, bereaved due to the unrest of war, genocide, Islamophobia, state-sanctioned violence, and a culture of racism and violence we must decry.

In case you missed it, we gathered in Grant Park on March 28 to join the No Kings Rally hosted by faith and social justice organizations throughout Chicago. CRS Policy and Organizing Associate Ikechukwu Ozuzu Jr. reflects in this blog article.

For months now, folks all over this country have been protesting the expanded use and increased militarization of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the National Guard. These protests and complaints have been rooted in a meaningful question about our democracy and our ability to move freely and protest. So what is next, and what is our call as people of faith and goodwill in this moment?

CRS condemns the irreversible harm that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and police violence cause in our Beloved Community. We remember Renee Nicole Good and call for justice.

The work of building a righteous budget and a righteous city belongs to all of us. As people of faith, we are called to partner in that work, to hold leaders accountable, and to embody righteousness in our public life. Join us in the struggle for economic justice.

News out of Washington is that Chicago is next on the President’s list of cities where he wants to deploy federal troops to “crack down on crime,” which actually continues to decrease. In this moment, CRS believes we must be coordinated in strategy, called in purpose, and sound in our approach. 

Today is Election Day. That means today, Tuesday, November 5, is the last day to cast our votes for a host of political offices that have the power to determine the course of the future for our individual and communal lives. CRS encourages all who read this to make that choice.

An ID program for migrants was held on March 29, stemming from an initiative to provide Chicago residents with a universally accepted government-issued identification, and serving as a reminder of the transformative power of inclusive policies and the enduring spirit of unity that defines the city’s identity.

Read our statement following a decision from Chicago’s City Council to allocate $51 million to migrant funding.

Newly arrived migrants in Chicago are in need of basic necessities. Check out our list of recommended actions from organizations, community groups and legislators in Chicago offering aid.