We oppose the criminalization of homelessness. We oppose the executive order signed by President Trump on July 24, 2025, which takes aim at us, the Red Line Service community, particularly those of us who sleep on Chicago’s streets, sleep in cars, ride the trains overnight, or live in encampments.
We oppose the planned military takeover of Chicago, which allows for the violent sweep of encampments, arrest of those living in poverty, displacement of informal communities and involuntary commitment and forced treatment of people experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness, all of which make it near impossible to get housing in the future.
As people who experience homelessness and housing insecurity, we understand that the tactics of displacement, arrest, incarceration, detention and deportation function, by design, to break the bonds of community, to isolate us one from another and to alienate us from the processes and structures of a vibrant democracy. Deliberately, we have been put on the outside not only of shelter, but of the social body.
If you care about democracy, the Red Line Service answer is very simple:
Invite us in and create the social belonging we need to harness our experiences and heal from the alienation of having been systemically excised from the body politic. Invest in us, according to our interests, passions and ways of gathering and being together. When we feel like we belong in the commonwealth, our immediate response is to advocate on behalf of others, to join you in guarding democracy, and to take an active leadership role in finding the solution to homelessness.
At Red Line Service, the answer is to create social belonging and individual and community empowerment and solidarity, without which all just policy is impossible, much less outright revolution.
We reject all attempts to dismantle our democratic rights.