Editor’s note: Andy Willis interviewed Martin Cygan for the People’s Tribune.
Andy Willis: Martin, I haven’t seen you all winter and you tell me that some people you know either froze to death or got their legs amputated.
Martin: One of my friends about 60 years old died in the alley where he stayed. Another guy got both his legs amputated at the knees when the frostbite got him.
Another guy died in a nursing home. One toe got frostbite. They gave him antibiotics and an I-V. Another guy, he died over there across the street. He had a heart attack and an asthma attack.
They were homeless the same as I’ve been, about seven or eight years. The City or aldermen do nothing to help. They’ve got deep pockets. That’s the way the city is run now.
I was born and raised in Chicago. I was born at Cook County Hospital. I used to have an apartment and I was working until my daughter got sick. She had a brain tumor operation. She died at 5 years old. I was going to the hospital and home. Then I lost my job when they said they couldn’t afford to keep me.
A: Have any of the agencies that are supposed to help done anything for you?
M: They ain’t done nothing for me. They say “give it time—give it time.” Give them time for what? Till I die in the street too? Hey, help the homeless person out. It’s just not right.
A: Do you see heated properties around?
M: I see properties with lights on and everything. But what are they doing with this property? Just letting it sit there? Drawing interest? What are they doing?
People say, “We can’t help you.” They don’t want you in Chicago. They want you out. The property is going higher. We can’t afford these high rents.
A: How do you think people feel about the People’s Tribune?
M: People like it. They think it’s interesting—some of the reporting. People working at the gas station think it has important issues about people. They think you guys make an impact.
A: In Hawaii there’s huge homelessness. Living in a warm climate is one thing but living in Chicago in the winter on the street is impossible.
M: I don’t know how I made it this long on the street, but by God’s grace I’m still alive. I go to a motel once a month for three days when I get my check. That’s nothing. Then back on the streets again.
A: The United Nation’s Declaration of Human Rights said everybody was entitled to a house and decent place to live. Whether or not you had a job. Now many of us are not employable.
M: I’m 56 and judged totally disabled—not employable. My ankle is bad. My knees are bad. My shoulder and lower back is bad.
A: We are using the paper to show housing is available and those who need it should have it now.
M: Housing is available. You’re right. But all the aldermen want to do is drive property taxes up in their wards. They’re putting money in their pockets.
