South Cook News

A high-profile event on immigration issues scheduled for April 30 was abruptly canceled by 115 Bourbon Street following an online pressure campaign from a leftist group, sparking concerns over political neutrality and freedom of expression.

The event, titled “From the Border to Our Backyards,” organized by the Save Illinois Coalition, aimed to address the impact of illegal immigration on local communities and public services in Illinois. As part of the effort, the Save Illinois Coalition is gathering petition signatures for a 2026 ballot initiative to end sanctuary policies in Illinois and Chicago.

The event has now been relocated to Belvedere Events & Catering located at 1170 W Devon Ave in Elk Grove Village. 

The change in venue came after a call-in campaign led by the social media account “Antifascist Space Invader,” which labeled the event “white supremacist” despite featuring Black and Hispanic speakers. 

Among those scheduled to speak are Danielle Carter-Walters, a Black Chicago activist and Vice President of Chicago Flips Red and Pastors Daniel Matos and José Acevedo, who represent Latino faith communities. Carter-Walters, who recently testified before Congress, has been critical of Chicago’s sanctuary city policies and the more than $600 million spent by the city on illegal immigrants and the more than $2.6 billion spent by Illinois on illegal immigrant-related services. 

She emphasized that her position is based on law and accountability, not opposition to immigrants. Ironically, her image was crossed out in online flyers circulated by the campaign demanding the event’s cancellation.

A voicemail shared with media outlets exemplified the rhetoric used in the campaign. In it, the speaker accused the speakers of being “fascists” and threatened to boycott the venue unless the event was canceled.

“I assure you that I will be telling all my friends to never go to your place again,” the speaker in the voicemail shared with South Cook News said. “That is, of course, unless you cancel the show. So if you want to be an ally to the LGBTQ and migrant communities, you would do what is right and cancel the otherwise, go ahead and host these haters. And then that is your prerogative, but just know that you are making the whole Chicagoan community uncomfortable by enabling these fascists to continue organizing in public.”

Some the outreach efforts were traced back to Bloom Township High School librarian Tim Jacko, according to event organizer Terry Newsome, also a featured speaker.

Following the cancellation, the Antifascist Space Invader account celebrated the result and immediately encouraged a new campaign to cancel the rescheduled event at its new Elk Grove location. 

“We feel like there is a good chance we can get this canceled as well if enough people call and voice their displeasure,” the group said on social media.  

The group advised followers to use blocked numbers and withhold their identities when making calls.

Newsome criticized 115 Bourbon Street’s decision.

In messages to the venue’s owners, Newsome contrasted their cancellation of a bipartisan event with the venue's history of hosting LGBTQ+ themed entertainment, including the "Sunday Funday" drag brunch and the Rainbow Room, a dedicated space for LGBTQ+ patrons, every Friday night featuring drag shows. 

“I understand Bourbon Street took the side of radical leftist, ANTIFA and crazy LGBTQ Nazis over us,” Newsome said in a text message. “I'm very disappointed. You had the opportunity to look like heroes against radical leftist cancel culture. Unfortunately you made the wrong ‘business’ decision.”

Newsome pointed out the lack of political neutrality in 115 Bourbon Street’s stance calling out the venue for “canceling Patriots who are fighting to make IL safe from violent illegals.”

“Our event was multi racial and bipartisan,” Newsome said.  

Tickets for the rescheduled event at Belvedere Events & Catering remain on sale for $20 and include buffet access.

The event is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased at SaveILCoalition.com or through the affiliated platform Just Vote On It.

The Save Illinois Coalition continues to gather petition signatures in support of placing two non-binding questions on the 2026 Illinois ballot related to sanctuary policies and taxpayer-funded services for undocumented immigrants.