Thursday, September 23, 2010

Neighborhood group focuses on Nov. 2

CHICAGO - The Nov. 2nd general elections are right around the corner and voters here in the city's southwest side, mostly Latino, Little Village neighborhood are mobilizing for a big Democratic win.

More than 100 Little Village residents at the Independent Political Organization of the 22nd Ward/Southwest side membership meeting Sept. 21 heard guest speakers Ald. Toni Preckwinkle - the Democratic nominee for Cook County Board president -- and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.

Quinn faces the GOP's state Sen. Bill Brady in the tough gubernatorial race.

"We're in the fight of our lives," Quinn told the community, highlighting another tough race: U.S. Senate seat.

Quinn urged voters to get involved and help ensure that Democrat Alexi Giannoulias gets elected and defeats the Republican candidate and the GOP's right-wing agenda in Congress and the state.

When Ald. Preckwinkle addressed the crowd she talked about the Nov. 2 election statewide and in Cook County.

"This is the kind of election where we could really make a difference, especially now when there is a lot of voter apathy," she said. "We need to touch people because Democracy is the best and most fragile element on this planet."

Longtime progressive and independent 22nd Ward Alderman Ricardo Munoz (and IPO president) moderated the meeting at La Villita Community Church.

The IPO was founded in 1983 to represent the needs and interests of working people and has since been a citywide leader in the struggle for multiracial unity, workers' rights, equal representation and political independence.

Both Preckwinkle and Quinn saluted Alderman Munoz and IPO members calling the organization "legendary" for "fighting the good fight" over the years.

To read the entire story click here: http://www.peoplesworld.org/neighborhood-group-focuses-on-nov/