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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 61ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF PALENQUE LSNA
WHEREAS, in May 2022, the organization formerly known as the Logan Square Neighborhood Association commemorated their 60th anniversary of their founding by transforming into Palenque LSNA. This May 2023, they will be celebrating their 61st anniversary; and
WHEREAS, the organization is a multi-issue community organization, directly serving more than 6,500 residents across the Logan Square, Hermosa, and Avondale neighborhoods of Chicago and impacting tens of thousands more through nationally-recognized issue campaigns and programs; and
WHEREAS, the organization has declared its mission statement to be “Palenque LSNA is a catalyst for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities and allies to take care of one another and take strategic action for systemic change and a just, resilient, and joyful future;” and
WHEREAS, “palenques” - sometimes called quilombos in Brazil or maroon communities in the United States of America - are settlements formed throughout the Americas by Africans and their descendants who escaped slavery. Those formerly enslaved would live alongside the indigenous people to establish communities and protect each other from European colonists; and
WHEREAS, the organization chose the word “palenque” because the settlements have a deep history of bringing Black, indigenous, and Latinx communities together. Palenque LSNA leaders want to convey their commitment to fighting for social justice for the aforementioned communities living within Logan Square, Hermosa, and Avondale with this name change; and
WHEREAS, Executive Director of Palenque LSNA Juliet de Jesus Alejandre and the organization have invited Latinx community members to remember and learn how many of them belong to the African diaspora, given that nearly 90% of captive Africans were brought to Latin America, and to better challenge anti-Blackness and anti-Indigeneity in Latinx cultures; and
WHEREAS, the organization historically has brought together community members to organize against school overcrowding. Black, brown, and immigrant mothers organized together to demand better conditions for their children from Chicago Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, Palenque LSNA has pioneered the development of full-service community schools, with after-school programming for kids, and educational programs (GED, ESL, citizenship classes) for parents and community members. The approach centers on promoting parent involvement; and
WHEREAS, the organization provides vital services to the community, including resources for housing, immigration legal services, a Parent Mentor Program, youth leadership opportunities, arts & culture programming, and community-based planning; and
WHEREAS, the organization promoted the community’s demand for affordable-housing development near the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line train and initiated the first steps in its advocacy. Through their successful efforts with a local coalition of organizations, elected officials, and neighborhood residents, the construction began for the Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments in September 2020. Today, this development provides high-quality, affordable rental housing, ensuring that Logan Square residents continue to have the option to stay in the neighborhood.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County President and Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize and congratulate Palenque LSNA on the 61st anniversary of their founding; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to the organization as an expression of our gratitude and esteem.
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