West Side NAACP Canvasses Amid Concerns Over Civil Rights and Federal Presence

After a widely shared video showed a Black man being choked by federal agents on Chicago’s West Side earlier this month — an incident that prompted outrage and calls for transparency — members of the Westside Branch NAACP took to the streets of West Garfield Park to check in with their neighbors.

Their goal was to listen, educate, and remind residents that civil rights are defended not only in courtrooms, but on city blocks. 

On Oct. 16, roughly a dozen volunteers gathered at the Garfield Park Gold Dome Fieldhouse, 100 N. Central Park Ave., before splitting into teams to canvass the neighborhood.

“We split up roughly a dozen people into two teams to gauge community members about how they feel about the recent federal law-enforcement presence here,” said Janeicia Williams, a member of the branch. 

“We’re gauging, not arguing — and letting people know some U.S. citizens have been taken. … If folks don’t see that this affects all of us, we have to help them see that. We’re not just out here protesting; we’re building awareness, one door at a time.”

Canvassers distributed flyers outlining residents’ rights if detained by federal agents and connected households with legal-aid contacts from the Westside Justice Center and the Freedom Defense Center of Austin. A mobile app helped track which homes had been reached.

The NAACP’s campaign follows a string of reports about increased federal law-enforcement activity across parts of the West Side — activity that has unsettled many residents and community leaders.

Princess Shaw, founder of Light Up Lawndale, said the experience revealed both anxiety and determination.

“When we went out door-knocking in an earlier canvassing event, it was enlightening what people thought about the National Guard,” she said. “For me, it’s how do we tap into this potential of people who want to help?” 

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Know Your Rights and Get Involved

Residents are being urged to learn their legal rights in any encounter with federal agents. According to the NAACP’s Know Your Rights guidance:

• You have the right to remain silent and may say, “I’m exercising my right to remain silent.”
• Stay calm and do not run away.
• You can demand a warrant signed by a judge before allowing anyone into your home; an administrative warrant is not enough.
• You have the right to speak with a lawyer and should not sign anything without legal advice.
• You may record interactions with federal agents so long as you do not interfere with an arrest.
• U.S. citizens are not required to present ID except when driving.
• Non-citizens still have the right to remain silent and to respectful treatment under the law

Get Involved

For those looking to engage further, the Westside Branch NAACP meets the first Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Sankofa Cultural Center, 5820 W. Chicago Ave. To learn more or get involved, visit cwbnaacp.org.