In a show of solidarity, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce unveiled four Black Lives Matter banners Wednesday morning on the historic 26th Street arch — a gateway to the predominately Latino neighborhood on the Southwest Side.
Under the terra cotta gateway, several dozen community leaders, elected officials and residents gathered in support with the Black Lives Matter movement and to offer a message of unity as part of the civil unrest that has swept the country following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
Blanca Soto, executive director Chamber of Commerce, said the Black community continues to be “confronted by injustices on a daily basis.”
“History has been not been kind to minorities in this country, which is why it is time to embrace each other in solidarity,” Soto said. “We can thrive by working together and celebrating our achievements.”
“Supporting the rights of our Black brothers and sisters is the right response to injustice. To fight for their civil rights is to fight for our own…We are here to fight for and with our neighbors,” Soto said.
The banners designed by Patricia Aguilar at Four Star Branding features five raised fists featuring “United we stand. Divided we fall” above the words “Black Lives Matter.” The banners were funded by the McCormick Foundation and installed by the SSA 25, Soto said.
