Austin Weekly News 040721

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Austin Weekly News | 2021

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Affordable townhomes coming to Garfield Park, Vol. 35 No. 15

April 7, 2021

austinweeklynews.com

Also serving Garfield Park

@AustinWeeklyChi

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@AustinWeeklyNews

Austin A ti resident id t organizes cleanup, PAGE 3

Group makes off with Easter donation items

As many as 600 people were expected at Saturday’s giveaway at Austin church, but between 12 and 15 people took all of the donated items Friday By BOB CHIARITO Block Club Chicago

A Saturday afternoon donation drive for new parents at an Austin church had to be canceled after most of the items were taken by a group of people who entered the church and took diapers, formulas and wipes Friday without permission. The “Baby Bank” donation drive was planned for two months, according to Pastor Michael Wright of the Christ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church of Austin, 854 N. Central Ave. But it had to be scrapped after 12-15 people took advantage of an employee working alone on Friday and took all the items set aside for community members in need. On Saturday, Wright had to explain to people showing up that the event was called off. He said there will be future events and said anyone who wants to donate items can drop items off during the week at the church from 9 a.m. to See EASTER DIAPER THEFT on page 4

Courtesy PAUL GOYETTE

SPEAKING UP: Edie Jacobs during a protest outside of the Amazon warehouse in Cicero on March 31. Jacobs and other West Side labor organizers who are members of Black Workers Matter are shingling a light on Amazon’s working conditions, which employees say are exploitative.

West Side labor activists take on Amazon Members of Black Workers Matter protested outside Amazon’s Cicero warehouse, vowed to continue pressure until working conditions improve By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

On Wednesday, activists with the West Side-based labor group Black Workers Matter protested outside of the Amazon warehouse at 1500 S. Laramie Ave. in Ci-

cero, because of stories like the one told by the anonymous driver who said he wanted to share his experiences working for the company on the condition they remain anonymous. “They overwork you,” said the driver, who requested anonymity because they

fear retaliation by Amazon. The plural pronoun is being used to protect the person’s identity. “It’s stressful. And they’re steady upping the number of packages they expect See AMAZON on page 9


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