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CHICAGO (WLS) — On a Sunday afternoon, a group of Chicago cyclists combined fitness with philanthropy, embarking on a community ride that concluded in Back of the Yards. This initiative aimed to support those facing difficult times in recent months.
Their hard work paid off with a savory reward: a feast of delicious street food.
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Upon arriving at Davis Square Park, the cyclists eagerly flocked to street vendors to enjoy a well-deserved meal. Every Sunday for the past five weeks, they have convened in Chinatown to kick off their rides, each time discovering the culinary offerings of a different neighborhood.
The mission behind these rides is to extend support to those hardest hit by immigration enforcement actions, which have forced many individuals into seclusion.
This effort is a partnership 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.