D.A.P.S Signal 4 Support: Crowdfund to Defend From kolonial Displacement.
South Shore, a scarcity stricken neighborhood manufactured by the state, is under the attack by the hoarding class & it's lackey's. The $9.9B Department of War Quantum Facility & the $600M Obama Presidential Library economic effects are coming into play after the facility groundbreaking, facilitated by pig johnson & pig pritzker on September 30th 2025. Residents have expected their rent & bills to rise, including property taxes & energy bills, as well as water & air pollution from the facility, & state surveillance for both projects & beyond. But currently, we are witnessing property taxes rise, corporations looming over property, & raids that've lead to property's being bought & people being displaced.
Property taxes for the block D.A.P.S organizes out of at Mama Africa's Marketplace have increased by 41.88% (the largest percentage increase in at least 30 years) while South Shore remains the eviction capitol of Chicago. The state conducts almost 400 evictions a year, leaving our community unstable and vulnerable. The commercial real estate market in the Loop has been failing since 2021, which "officials" claim is the reason for this property increase on the south and west side of Chicago. This is where Black & Brown people predominantly reside, who capitalist corporations deem as the slave class of this city. Why are we receiving collective punishment for corporations, who have no plans other than exploiting us, failing? The state ensures it's survival on the predication of our death after we are squeezed of everything, especially our homes & businesses.
This sprawl over property in South Shore has inevitably led to the raid of the Low-income apartment complex of 7500 S Shore Dr. The highly propagandized footage that has been plastered over social media as this huge win against so-called terrorism via Tren de Aragua & illegal immigration. But check this out; Of the 37 kidnapped, only a SINGULAR captive was a "verified" Tren de Aragua member. This raid completely trashed this apartment complex, breaking down doors & windows, hitting pipes causing sewage leaks, as well as physically abusing and traumatizing our people. Their homes were broken into with rifles & grenades by intruders. The state has ordered folks left in the building to vacate the premises & find housing elsewhere, due to Well's Fargo being the chosen in the corporate lottery to continue the capitalist occupation of South Shore.
Recently our base was visited by an intruder to the neighborhood/community inquiring about buying the building that houses the shop. The landlord received an offer to buy the building this week, & the threat of gentrification creates instability for our business and our ability to serve the people & our community; D.A.P.S is creating this campaign to encourage anyone empathetic to our cause to support our crowdfunding efforts in raising $600,000 to buy the property! The landlords deadline to completely move out is January 23rd, 2026.
In buying this property we will expand Mama Africa’s Marketplace as the Community Healing Center it is. This expansion will empower Mama Africa's Marketplace with the resources & capacity to continue utilizing the space as a necessary cultural center, & third space for South Shore residents, Chicagoans, & visitors to congregate & have a place to come & be served!
Mama Africa’s Marketplace has been a beacon of positivity, & support for the South Shore community for the past 5 years. Providing a safe space for anyone who needs it, & providing opportunities for growth & community engagement. Mama Africa herself has supported countless youth & countless community members in need, & we want to expand on Mama Africa’s Marketplace's capacity to support our community.
Without the grace & support of Mama Africa’s Marketplace; DAPS, a De-colonial Black Queer youth organization will not have the capacity to serve in the way that we do. With the expansion & development of Mama Africa’s Marketplace, this will inevitably lead to the expansion & development of our community as a whole.
What would come from monetary support?
Access to Holistic wellness & care. Access to a third space in an economy where this is lacking for Black, Brown, working class people. Community Engagement & community development leading to solidarity, overall peace, & liberation! Youth employment & development!
This year we have worked on a myriad of programs serving & politicizing the people of South Shore & her surrounding neighborhoods.
Mutual Aid
Decolonial Educational Program/ Study Group (bi-weekly for (25/26 weeks)
Feed the People Fridays: Food, Clothing, Resource Distribution (45/52 weeks)
Community Clean Up’s
Teach In’s
Poetry Club
Congo Sudan Benefit
Malcolm X Day Centennial Celebration
Black August Month-long Campaign
Student Conference
Community Safety Workshop’s
Month Against AFRICOM Campaign
From Chicago to Caracas Campaign
D.A.P.S says NO to the Department of War Campaign
This is a call to action for support of D.A.P.S' crowdfunding efforts in raising $600,000 to buy the property & continue this work towards liberation for our people. We can collectively win this fight. If you are able, please
Donate to our Gofundme
Share this campaign around on social media & with your loved ones.
Write letter of support to [email protected]
Pull up to the space & connect with Mama Africa’s Marketplace & D.A.P.S
These times are crucial for us to come together & take a stand.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-mama-africas-marketplace
Salam, E. (2025, October 13). Trump says immigrants are driving violent crime in Illinois, but ICE can’t find many who are.MS NOW. https://www.ms.now/news/trump-immigrants-violent-crime-chicago-illinois-ice-rcna237272
Staff, C. (2025, December 8). Tenants of raided South Shore building must move out by Dec. 12.The Chicago Crusader. https://chicagocrusader.com/tenants-must-move-out-south-shore-building-by-dec-12/
Cook County Treasurer’s Office - Chicago, Illinois. (n.d.). https://cookcountytreasurer.com/taxbillanalysismapsfortaxyear2024.aspx
