Rizoma Collective

06/01/2026

We want to acknowledge and show solidarity recognizing Pride month, there are different identities and it is important to acknowledge the difference between Sexual Identity relates to who you are attracted to. Gender Identity relates to who you are—your innermost, personal sense of being male, female, non-binary, or another gender, regardless of the s*x you were assigned at birth.

Being an LGBTQ+ ally means actively supporting equal civil rights, gender equality, and opposing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. It is an ongoing practice of listening, learning, and using your privilege to advocate for gender and s*xual minorities

It's important to acknowledge because misinterpretation and misinformation can cause harm and damage that threaten people that are trying to live their lives as anyone else does.

05/26/2026

While we hope many celebrate and enjoy the privileges that many veterans paid tribute for the liberties we get to enjoy with our families.

It's important to acknowledge the folks that don't get that privilege after being separated and being poorly taken care of under ICE custody. We must do more to prevent this our country needs to do more to prevent the separation of people. To be united and the right to live and due process.

05/23/2026

We wanted to make aware that the Town of Cicero is looking to change the rules of their public comments section of the meeting after a recent filing of a request for review of an Open Meeting Act violation.

It seems to tighten free speech in the Town of Cicero, without much context to confirm it's the natural assumption to take given comments are shut off on multiple social media accounts of the Town of Cicero and even certain town officials censoring residents by blocking them after asking questions or addressing criticism.

05/15/2026

We wanted to share information regarding a letter that was sent out to the Morton school district asking to apologize by the National Coalition Against Censorship.

There is also an additional mention in the letter that demands Morton edit their policy to ensure that this form of censorship never happens again.

Morton 201 needs to do better and protect free speech for our students they deserve a chance to express themselves without the fear of retaliation especially when the admin of Morton is standing on the wrong side of the story again.

Be sure to remind them of this at: [email protected]

Link of the letter:
https://ncac.org/news/ncac-urges-the-morton-high-school-administration-to-apologize-for-censoring-students-art-and-to-amend-school-policy

05/14/2026

1st picture credited to Luz Chavez
2nd and 3rd picture credited to Mariana Ramirez

Last night, residents of the Morton District along with students went to address the topic of censorship that recently took place involving a number of different displayed references to important topics such as ICE activity and reproductive rights and many more issues. These art pieces among others were taken down by Morton West admin.

Folks arrived at 5 PM for the meeting to start and didn't get a chance to speak for 3 hours. Whether it was intentional or not, there was a significant discount no statement from the Superintendent Michael Kuzniewski during his report or any mention of accountability or censorship. The same can be said for Morton West principal Kristy Cavanuagh who left out any mention of the censorship that took place at Morton West.

While the meeting was going many residents held up copies of some of the art that was taken down. The same ones done by Mariana Ramirez.

05/12/2026

A reminder note that Morton school board president Jeff Pesek was confrontation with protesters addressing ICE activity in Cicero and Berwyn back in October, 2025.

Also, that Morton school board superintendent Michael Kumeniski called the notifications and addresses of ICE activity as hyperbole which means: a way of speaking or writing that makes someone or something sound bigger, better, more, etc. than they are:

ICE activity in our communities is real and the harm that has been under the confinement is isolating and dehumanizing. Anyone can be deemed a target for ICE if they fit the profile. Morton students and families have dealt with that fear and concern and it's real. Many students used their talents to express their concerns and the admin of Morton denied them that. Show up at the upcoming Morton meeting.

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

So far this year, Cicero has had 7 lawsuits against the Town. Residents still don't know how much it's costing residents.

Meeting today at 10 AM at Town of Cicero, assuming the settlements will be approved by around 10:30-45

05/10/2026

What to expect this upcoming week.

05/08/2026

We want to take time and go over gerrymandering which is the context of representative electoral systems, is the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries to advantage a party, group, or socioeconomic class within the constituency. The manipulation may involve "cracking" or "packing".

Many states including Illinois do this every few years to redraw maps to accurately mark and label areas where voters are active in elections. Rather than address increasing the voter count or encourage new voters. Politicians manipulate the maps that best accurately represent "their" areas.

We need to do a better job at addressing representation and power before it's taken away from us all. The conversation starts with us and especially with our elected officials.