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Election 2015 Mon Apr 06 2015
Garcia Makes One Last Push for Voters
By Manny Ramos
Mayoral Candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia leads a GOTV speech in front of supporters. Photo by Manny Ramos.
On the last day of early voting, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia made a final get out the vote effort at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church. Mt. Pilgrim was filled with both excitement, and a sense of urgency. Garcia didn't stand alone; he was accompanied by key players in the African-American community.
"You are with us because you know my administration will reflect the diversity of our great city," said Garcia in front of a crowd of supporters. "No more lower bond wages in Chicago due to fiscal mismanagement in Chicago, No more attacks on pensions, and the retirement security of our workers," Garcia said as Dr. Cornel West and Rev. Jessie Jackson cheered him on.
Garcia held back for most of his speech, and only spoke on the needed attention to the lower-income communities as well as fiscal issues. He was primarily there to encourage people to vote early, and encourage people to "fire Rahm Emanuel." Yet other key speakers of the event weren't holding any of their opinions back.
West wasn't only there to provide visual support, he also provided a fiery speech targeting Mayor Emanuel's character. "Brother Rahm is not a brother of integrity," Dr. West said. "He's too mean and arrogant, he's too condescending, he's too paternalistic, and that day is over in Chicago!"
West thinks the practice of neoliberalism in Chicago from Emanuel is driving the gap in income disparity in Chicago. "Financialize, privatize, militarize, but the one percent at the top is trying to reshape the world in their image and in their interest because they have all the money, but you know what? They don't have the integrity!"
"You must be able to bounce back from the darkness, and that's what this campaign is about," West continued, "It's about love, it's about justice, it's about vision, it's about courage, that's why we're here!"
Currently the Chicago Tribune has Mayor Emanuel with a significant lead over Garcia leading into April 7. This doesn't sit well for a few prominent Garcia supporters.
One of those supporters is the Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, who also made an appearance for Garcia. She attacked everything from Mayor Emanuel's policies to media outlets, mostly the Chicago Tribune, that forecast the outcome of elections incorrectly. "You don't listen to these lying polls in the Tribune," Lewis said. "The Trib has been calling this wrong for a long time."
Lewis demanded everyone get out and vote. "I am asking you, I am begging you, and in my teaching voice, I'm telling you, go vote!"
This time in February, voters who cast their ballots early were just over 68,000. Yet through Friday, over 123,000 early voters had cast their votes, suggesting the first ever mayoral run-off has voters engaged. However, what is yet to be seen is whether this is just the beginning of voters coming out, or if these early voters are a bulk of what we are going to see.
Rev. Jackson probably gave probably the most charging statement of the rally, and summed up the infamous mustache regime: "This is not just a campaign, this is a crusade!"