Chicago Public Schools continues to waste money to ban parents from public meetings: CPS using legal costs and stalling court tactics to deny parents entry and due process rights...
One year after the Chicago Board of Education voted to close Lafayette Elementary School (one of 50 public schools closed in May 2013 on orders from Mayor Rahm Emanuel), parent Rousemary Vega continued the protests against the policies of CPS at the May 2014 Board meeting (above). When the Board secretary called "time" and Vega demanded the right to speak as a parent whose children's education had been disrupted by the Board's closings and other policies, then Board President David Vitale ordered security (above) to pul her away from the podium. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt.Why is the Chicago Board of Education still on a vendetta against parent Rousemary Vega and her husband? Simple answer: raw unaccountable power. In a clear abuse of power and restrictions on free speech in Chicago by Rahm Emanuel and his hand-picked members of the Chicago Board of Education, the almost forgotten case of Rousemary Vega and Jesus Ramos, parent activists, drags on in court. Vega and Ramos are suing the Chicago Public Schools now that they've been banned from attending public Board of Education meetings for nearly two years.
The stalling tactics of Chicago Public Schools show that they would rather waste money on lawsuits than allow free speech and access to the public school system and to the supposedly public meetings of the school board. The case also shows part of a pattern and practice of the Chicago Schools. CPS officials, supported by the seven members of the school board, continues to work to ban activists from the city's schools.
This pattern can also be seen in the recent removal of activist Blaine Elementary School Principal Troy LaRaviere who has been removed from his job as Blaine principal. LaRaviere and his supporters have also been banned from entering CPS properties to hold meetings on public issues, including the upcoming election in the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association (CPAA). Although CPS officials tried to keep LaRaviere from being a candidate for the CPAA job, they failed because the organization's constitution and by laws provide that any member in good standing can run for office provided he or she is a member at the time of the nomination. LaRaviere was nominated in March; CPS snatched him out of Blaine in April.
The attack on the First Amendment rights of the family of Rousemary Vega continues. In recently filed documents with the federal court system, Chicago Public Schools attorneys have filed paperwork to delay the proceedings until October 28, 2016. All the meanwhile the family’s right to enter CPS hearings goes unchecked. The case was filed over a year ago on April 10, 2015 in Federal court. In it, Vega and her husband challenge the Chicago Public Schools after Chief Security Officer Jadine Chou banned entry of the activist parents to Board meetings -- and took away their right to speak at Board meetings.
Jesus Ramos being dragged out of the July 23, 2014 meeting of the Chicago Board of Education following the assault by Board security personnel on his wife, Rousemary Vega. The parent activists became protesters at the Board meetings during their struggle to protect the school attended by their children -- Lafayette Elementary School. The Board of Education voted at its May 2013 meeting to close Lafayette Elementary and 49 other real public schools, despite protests across Chicago. At the time of the closing vote, David Vitale was Board President, and the committee that compiled the list of schools to be closed was headed by Frank Clark. Since then, Vitale has left the school board, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who ordered the closings, appointed Clark President of the Chicago Board of Education. Substance photo by Bob Simpson.The Chicago couple were dragged out of a Board of Education meeting on orders of [former] Board President David Vitale and then barred from meetings, apparently for all eternity, on Vitale's orders in July 2014. Vitale gave orders to Board security chief Jadine Chou to remove the couple and have them banned. They have since sued the Board of Education, charging that their First Amendment rights are being violated.
Since the July 23, 2014 meeting of the Chicago Board of Education, Rousemary Vega and Jesus Ramos, her husband, have been barred from entering the headquarters of Chicago Public Schools during Board meetings. The ban, which appears to be a lifetime ban, is being enforced for CPS by Jadine Chou, who is currently the school system's "Chief Officer for Security and Safety."
The lawsuit was filed by the parents, who have four children, following their attempts since July 2014 to attend Board meetings. The original assault on the family took place during the July 23, 2014 Board meeting. Since then, the Board has moved its offices to 1 S. Dearborn, after taking the old downtown Sears Store off the corporation's hands (just as the Board took the derelict Commonwealth Edison building off the utility company's hands when it moved from 1819 W. Pershing Road to the Loop), but the ban on Vega and Burgos remains in effect.
Two of the Board of Education members who voted in favor of the closings at the Board's May 2013 meeting were Mahalia Hines (left) and Jesse Ruiz (right). The two played a king of "good cop/bad cop" game against protesters. Hines would look for any excuse to chastise protesters, when everyone knew that he vote against the community was a foregone conclusion. She often used the pretext of protesters' language to explain why she was always voting in favor of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's privatization agendas, which included the closing of real public schools and the later repurposing those buildings for charter school use. Jesse Ruiz, in the meantime, was always smiling before he voted with Hines and the Board majority to screw the community. Substance photo by George N. Schmidt.Below is the docket entry to delay proceedings and continue the ban on the CPS parent activists:
Rousemary Vega, et al., Plaintiff, v. The Chicago Board of Education, et al., Defendant. Case No.: 1:15−cv−03221 Honorable Gary Feinerman
NOTIFICATION OF DOCKET ENTRY
This docket entry was made by the Clerk on Friday, April 1, 2016:
MINUTE entry before the Honorable Gary Feinerman:The parties have proposed a
revised schedule [68] in light of counsel's maternity leave and the large number of
depositions. Although there will be numerous depositions, most are unlikely to take much time. Also, the depositions can be scheduled now for a time shortly after counsel's
maternity leave concludes. Accordingly, the discovery deadline is extended to 9/30/2016, and the dispositive motion deadline is extended to 10/28/2016. Status hearing set for 4/5/2016 [67] is stricken and re−set for 8/3/2016 at 9:00 a.m. Mailed notice.(jlj, )
The original Complaint against the Chicago Public Schools ban on the activist parents is below:
Rousemary Vega and Jesus Ramos, Plaintiff, v. The CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION, DAVID VITALE (in his individual and official capacity); JESSE RUIZ (in his individual and official capacity); MAHALIA HINES, (in her individual and official capacity); ANDREA ZOPP in her individual and official capacity; CARLOS AZCOITIA in his individual and official capacity; HENRY BIENEN in his individual and official capacity; JADINE CHOU in her individual and official capacity; Unnamed Chicago Public Schools Security Guards
Case No.: 1:15−cv−03221 Honorable Gary Feinerman
INTRODUCTION
1. Plaintiffs bring this action against Defendants pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violation of their rights under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, and pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367, Plaintiffs are also bringing state law claims of civil assault and battery and false imprisonment.
Defendants have a history of retaliating against and attempting to improperly muzzle individuals, particularly Plaintiffs, who attempted to speak out and be heard by Defendant Board about matters of public concern. Defendants, its agents and employees, while acting under color of state law, have engaged in and carried out acts to violate Plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights by retaliating against them for speaking out on such matters of public concern. Defendants have subjected Plaintiffs to illegal and unconstitutional harassment and deprivation of and interference with the peaceful exercise of their constitutionally protected right of Free Speech.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
2. This action arises under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.
3. Plaintiffs state law claims arise under the common laws of the State of Illinois.
4. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over the causes of action in this Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331. The Court also has jurisdiction over the state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367.
5. The events giving rise to this Complaint occurred in this district. Thus, venue is proper in the Northern District of Illinois pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b).
PARTIES
6. Plaintiff Vega is, and at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been a citizen of the United States and a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Before the events giving rise to this lawsuit, Plaintiff Vega was a regular attendee at and participant in Defendant Board public meetings.
7. Plaintiff Ramos is, and at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been a citizen of the United States and a resident of Chicago, Illinois. Before the events giving rise to this lawsuit, Plaintiff Ramos was a regular attendee at and participant in Defendant Board public meetings.
8. Defendant Board is a unit of local government organized under the laws of the State of Illinois with offices at County of Cook, State of Illinois. The Defendant Board is in charge of setting policy and overseeing the administration of over six hundred (600) public high schools within the District and includes numerous departments within its control, including but not limited Chicago Public Schools Office of School Safety & Security (“Security Office”). The Security Office oversees the implementation safety and security measures of Chicago Public Schools, including security guards at Chicago Public School public board meetings.
9. Defendant David Vitale (“Defendant Vitale”), at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been the President of the Board. He is the head official of the Board, the policy making body of the Chicago Public Schools Board which oversees administration. Defendant Vitale was present for one or more of the events in the Complaint.
10. Defendant Jesse Ruiz (“Defendant Ruiz”), at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been the Vice President of the Board. He is a head official of the Board, the policy making body of the Chicago Public Schools which oversees administration. Defendant Ruiz was present for one or more of the events in the Complaint.
11. Defendant Mahalia Hines (“Defendant Hines”), at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been a member of the Board and part of the policy making body of the Chicago Public Schools which oversees administration. Defendant Hines was present for one or more of the events in the Complaint.
12. Defendant Andrea Zopp (“Defendant Zopp”), at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been a member of the Board and part of the policy making body of the Chicago Public Schools which oversees administration. Defendant Zopp was present for one or more of the events in the Complaint.
13. Defendant Carlos Azcitia (“Defendant Azcoitia”), at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been a member of the Board and part of the policy making body of the Chicago Public Schools which oversees administration. Defendant Azcoitia was present for one or more of the events in the Complaint.
14. Defendant Henry Bienen (“Defendant Bienen”), at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been a member of the Board and part of the policy making body of the Chicago Public Schools which oversees administration. Defendant Bienen was present for one or more of the events in the Complaint.
15. Defendant Jadine Chou (“Defendant Chou”), at all times relevant to this lawsuit, has been the Chief Safety and Security Officer of the Security Office. She oversees the implementation safety and security measures of Chicago Public Schools for Defendant Board.
16. Defendant Unnamed Chicago Public Schools Security Guards are present or former employees and/or agents of Chicago Board of Education via the Security Office (“Defendant Guards”).
FACTS COMMON TO ALL COUNTS
17. Plaintiffs are active citizens and residents of District six (6) (“District”) who frequently attend and actively participate in monthly Chicago Board of Education public meetings held for the District by the Defendant Board (“Meetings”). These Meetings at the CPS Central Administration Building 125 S. Clark Street, 5th Floor Chicago, IL 60603 and are open to all residents and employees of the District. The Defendant Board Meetings serve as a public forum where the Defendant Board reports to District residents and where citizens are able to voice their opinions and concerns about the District, the workings of the Defendant Board and the manner in which the Defendant Board and the superintendent are administering the schools and handling the District’s business.
18. Starting in or about April 2014, due to Plaintiffs active participation at the Meetings and speaking out at protests regarding the Chicago Public School closings, Defendants began singling out and trying to intimidate Plaintiffs at Meetings. Defendants did so by segregating Plaintiffs from other Meeting participants by assigning them seats in the back of the room, when there were not assigned seats for anyone else; requiring them to leave after they spoke but prior to the end of the Meetings; and specifically placing security guards next to them at Meetings.
19. On or about July 23, 2014, Plaintiffs, accompanied by their four minor children, attended a Defendant Board Meeting held at CPS Central Administration Building 125 S. Clark Street, 5th Floor Chicago, IL 60603 (“Premises”) where the Defendant Board Members were present (“July Meeting”). Plaintiff Vega followed the proper procedures to speak at the July Meeting and was scheduled to do so during the public forum portion of the July Meeting.
20. During the course of the July Meeting, after Defendant Ruiz got up to leave in the middle of the meeting, Plaintiff Vega stood up and made a statement and sat back in her chair with her child on her lap.
21. Defendant Board via Defendant Board Members ordered Defendant Guards to remove Plaintiffs from the Premises. Plaintiff Vega stated that she had a right to speak and still had not had her chance to speak at the July Meeting.
22. At the direction of the Defendant Board via Defendant Board members, at least five unnamed Defendant Guards, surrounded Plaintiffs and their minor children.
23. Plaintiff Ramos then stood behind Plaintiff Vega and the minor child sitting on her lap and put his arms around them, immediately thereafter, and without provocation, Defendant Guards grabbed Plaintiff Ramos, forcefully pulled him away from Plaintiff Vega and their children and dragged him out of the July Meeting using unnecessary and excessive force.
24. Defendant Guards then grabbed Plaintiff Vega and removed her and their children from the July Meeting as well.
25. Defendant Guards then detained Plaintiff Ramos in a solitary room, with the door locked, where he was forced to remain for forty-five (45) minutes against his will and without justification.
26. Despite Plaintiff Ramos's request to be set free and to know the reason for his unlawful detention, Defendant Guards refused to tell him why he was being kept in the room and refused to let him go until they saw the bruises they made on his rib cage.
27. After Plaintiff Ramos was released, he went to the emergency room due to the injuries he sustained from Defendant Guards forceful removal of him from the July Meeting.
28. On or about August 1, 2014 Defendant Chou on behalf of Defendants issued a letter banning Plaintiff Vega from attending future Meetings until further notice. (A true and correct copy of the August 1, 2014 letter is hereto attached as Exhibit A)
29. Plaintiff Vega again tried to register to speak at the January 2015 Meeting and on or about January 23, 2015 she received another letter from Defendant Chou on behalf of Defendants stating that she forfeited her right to reentry to future Meetings. (A true and correct copy of the January 23, 2015 letter is hereto attached as Exhibit B).
30. Defendants continue to prevent Plaintiff Vega from participating in and expressing her viewpoints at Meetings.
COUNT I (42 U.S.C. § 1983)
FIRST AMENDMENT VIOLATIONS
31. Plaintiffs hereby incorporate and re-allege the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 30 as if the allegations are set forth herein.
32. Plaintiff Vega has exercised her constitutionally protected right to free speech by speaking out at Meetings on matters of public concern. Specifically, Plaintiff Vega has addressed issues pertaining to Chicago Public School closings.
33. Defendants have retaliated against Plaintiff Vega for exercising her constitutionally protected right of free speech to criticize and express opposition to Defendants’ act and policies.
34. Defendants have violated Plaintiff Vega’s First Amendment right by, but not limited to:
i. Not allowing Plaintiff Vega to speak during her scheduled turn at the July Meeting;
ii. Forcefully removing Plaintiff Vega from the July Meeting prior to allowing her to speak;
iii. Banning Plaintiff Vega from speaking at further Meetings as of August 2014 through current;
iv. Failing to provide adequate means for Plaintiff Vega to express her opinions on matters of public concerns regarding the District;
v. Repeatedly using force, threats, and intimidation to prevent Plaintiff Vega from speaking at Meetings on matters of public concern.
35. All of the overt acts of Defendants were undertaken willfully and maliciously and have been committed for the express purpose to deprive Plaintiff Vega from exercising her First Amendment right to free speech.
COUNT II. CIVIL ASSAULT & BATTERY
36. Plaintiffs hereby incorporate and re-allege the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 30 as if the allegations are set forth herein.
37. Defendant Board via Defendant Board Members directed Defendant Guards on behalf of Defendant Security, without provocation or cause, to remove Plaintiffs from the July Meeting. Defendant Guards used harmful, offensive, and unlawful force in removing Plaintiffs.
38. The forceful grabbing and dragging of Plaintiffs from the July Meeting was willful and unauthorized.
39. As such, Defendants acted together to commit civil assault and battery against Plaintiffs by intentionally causing excessive and offensive contact to Plaintiffs.
40. As a direct result of Defendants’ conduct, Plaintiffs and their children were in fear and Plaintiff Ramos suffered physical injuries that required medical attention.
COUNT III. FALSE IMPRISONMENT
41. Plaintiffs hereby incorporate and re-allege the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 30 as if the allegations are set forth herein.
42. Through actions described above at the July Meeting, Defendants intentionally and forcefully confined and constrained Plaintiff Ramos without lawful justification in a locked room against his will.
43. As a proximate result of the acts alleged herein Plaintiff Ramos is entitled to damages in an amount to be proven at trial.
COUNT IV. (745 ILCS 10/0-102) RESPONDEAT SUPERIOR
44. Plaintiffs hereby incorporate and re-allege the allegations of paragraphs 1 through 43 as if the allegations are set forth herein.
45. In committing the acts alleged, each individual defendant was acting within his/her scope of employment with the Chicago Board of Education.
46. In Illinois, public entities are directed to pay for tort judgment for compensatory damages for which employees are liable within the scope of their employment. 745 ILCS 10/9-102.
47. As a proximate cause of Defendants unlawful acts Plaintiffs suffered physical injuries enumerated above.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays that this Court:
A. Declare that the policies, practices and acts complained of as illegal and unconstitutional.
B. Permanently enjoin Defendants from preventing Plaintiffs from attending and speaking at Defendant Board’s Meetings and exercising their First Amendment rights.
C. Award Plaintiffs compensatory damages from Defendants in an amount to be determined at trial.
D. Award reasonable attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses pursuant to 42 USC §1988.
E. Award such other relief as this Court deems appropriate.
Respectfully submitted,
____/s/____________________
Justina De Grado
Shaw Legal Services, Ltd.
540 West Briar Place, Suite B
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 540-9500
Fax: (773) 540-0503
