CHICAGO (WLS) — Riot Fest organizers issued a message Tuesday night, on the eve of the release of their 2024 lineup, announcing that the music festival would be leaving Douglas Park.
The North Lawndale community in recent years has become vocal opponents of Riot Fest.
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“I'm tired of our wealthiest white communities getting all the resources, and not having to throw pageants for their resources, but our black and brown working class communities having to fight and take the crumbs,” Warren Williams said in 2023. , shortly before this year's festival was approved.
The three-day music festival regularly attracts around 50,000 people for the duration.
In a video message posted to their social media channels, Riot organizer Mike wrote in part, “Riot Fest will be leaving Douglas Park. And let me be as clear as the azure sky of the deepest summer — our displacement is only because of the Chicago Park District.”
Organizers praised 24th Ward Monique Scott, writing in their statement: “She is righteous. Caring. Passionate. She is one of us.”
“We are not abandoning the community here…we are taking them on this journey as well,” the statement continued.
The statement concluded by announcing that the festival's new headquarters will be in RiotLand, but did not mention any other details except that the RiotLand location will be announced on Wednesday at 10 a.m., that is, an hour before the 2024 festival lineup is announced.
The Chicago Park District issued a statement in response, saying: “The Chicago Park District has indirectly learned that the organizers of Riot Fest have stated that they do not intend to proceed with their event in Douglas Park next September. A permit application submitted for the event has not been withdrawn, and is Actually awaiting interim approval by the Park County Board of Commissioners This approval process by the board is one that was established two years ago for special events permit review and ensures that organizers engage the community to get feedback on the community impact and dialogue on event production modifications that They should be taken into consideration to address community concerns.
“The Chicago Park District has worked tirelessly to balance the interests of the community and our special event organizers. Community voices are critical to our decision-making process, which is why a comprehensive community engagement process is a necessary element in evaluating a permit application.”
“Last year, Riot Fest organizers successfully completed this process, obtained a permit and hosted their event at Douglass Park.
“For large-scale events, our top priorities are minimizing the impact on the community, protecting our park assets and ensuring organizers are planning a safe and well-organized event. It is essential that the event organizer works with and understands the community they are hosting an event prior to board approval, we ask that they involve local residents and community organizations, elected officials, businesses and the park advisory board to provide detailed information related to the event.
“This year, the Chicago Park District strengthened its commitment to the community by announcing the creation of a new initiative to reinvest a portion of its event revenue fund directly into parks that host special events with 3,000 or more attendees. Parks host multi-day events with 3,000 or more guests They will receive a direct reinvestment of 10 percent of the permit fees collected from the event organizers as well as any park restoration fees. A key part of the initiative are engagement opportunities that residents will be invited to attend to provide feedback on potential capital improvement projects.
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