CHICAGO (WLS) — Combining a good workout with a desire to help some of those who have been struggling over the last couple of months is what dozens of Chicago cyclists did on Sunday afternoon as they joined together for a group ride that culminated here in Back of the Yards.
The reward for their efforts? Some seriously good food.
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Rolling up to Davis Square Park, the cyclists descended on the waiting street vendors, eager to dig in and refuel. The group gathered, like they have every Sunday over the last five weeks, in Chinatown before setting off to explore the local fare in that week’s selected neighborhood.
Their purpose? To support some of those who have suffered the most as immigration enforcement operations have driven people off the streets and into hiding.
The initiative is a collaboration between Cycling x Solidarity and the Street Vendors Association of Chicago.
“It’s a collective of community organizers, and when we saw ICE terrorizing our communities, we thought, we need to do something,” said Rick Rosales with Cycling x Solidarity. “We’re outside; they’re outside. What better way than to buy all their products, send them home, so they can be home with their families.”
Wanting to indulge in some tamales and champurrado? Steak tacos? Mexican sweetbreads? Or how about some chicharrónes? Cycling x Solidarity has you covered.
While the organization’s focus has been daily buyouts where they descend on a neighborhood early and buy out as many street vendors as they can muster, the Sunday rides are a more social experience.
“Meet other great people who care about bettering the community. It’s the least we can do in these times,” said participant Dan Hauswald.
The benefit is twofold, as the food purchased is then donated to shelters or passed out homeless encampments. For the street vendors themselves, it has been a lifeline.
“My siblings go to school, and my dad has been staying home all the time. And the bills come up,” said street vendor Jazmin Huerta.
It is a lifeline that hopefully will not be needed much longer, as Customs and Border Patrol operations have begun to wind down in the Chicago area.
“Hopefully, everything will start to go back to normal, and people will start to go out and buy stuff again,” said street vendor Grace Roldán.
Organizers say, regardless of whether the raids continue or not, Cycling x Solidarity is not going anywhere.
“The need is still there. The fear is still there. So as long as we have funding. As long as they have funding we’ll keep working together through the winter,” Rosales said.
While Cycling x Solidarity will continue supporting street vendors for the foreseeable future, the last of their Sunday street vendor bike tours is set for next week in Little Village.
The Street Vendors Association of Chicago says they have raised over $300,000 to help vendors through their relief fund.
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