#SouthSideNotSteve

When the University of Chicago community heard that Steve Bannon had been invited to speak on campus, we were appalled. His bigoted, dangerous ignorance should have no place at the U of C.

When university officials dismissed the concerns more than 1,200 alumni raised (along with countless faculty and students), we decided if Bannon comes we’re going to welcome him to campus with a message: “we stand with the communities you attack.”

So if the debate goes on, for every minute Steve Bannon speaks alumni will pledge money to fund organizations that empower and protect marginalized people on the South Side… in his honor. The more time that Bannon takes to proclaim his racist, ethno-nationalist views and broaden his platform of hate, the more money he will earn for causes that will enrich and amplify the voices of the South Side of Chicago. (We also encourage people to contribute a flat donation that will be given whether or not the event occurs!)

We encourage our fellow alums, Chicagoans, and anyone and everyone who rejects Bannon’s white supremacy to join us in supporting #SouthSideNotSteve.

All money that we raise will be handed over to Crossroads Funds, a 501c3 organization that supports grassroots groups working for racial, social, and economic justice in the Chicago area. Crossroads will distribute whatever money we raise through this campaign equally to organizations working on the South Side. Organizations benefiting will include Alliance of the Southeast, Assata’s Daughters, the Bronzeville Historical Society, the Chicago Torture Justice Center, People for Community Recovery, Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL), and Southside Together Organizing for Power (STOP).

(6/1 UPDATE: While still officially in the works, it is clear at this point the debate will not be held by the end of the academic year. We are planning on moving forward and sending our contributions to the community organizations at the end of Alumni Weekend, and will proceed as though Bannon spoke for 60 minutes for per-minute donations. Check out our recent Facebook post for more details.)

You can reach organizers with questions, comments, concerns on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/alums…, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/alumssayno, or by e-mail at alumniagainstbannonatuchicago@gmail.com.