Car caravan in Albany Park calls for cancellation or rent, mortgages

A man holds up a sign demanding that rent be canceled during a vehicle protest Saturday in the Albany Park neighborhood. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Calling for the cancellation of rent and mortgages during the coronavirus pandemic, protesters in about two dozen vehicles drove the streets Saturday in Albany Park to bring awareness to the plight of millions people who are without work, but still have bills coming due.

With May 1 less than a week away, the protesters held signs, called for a rent freeze on megaphones and toured the neighborhood after meeting in the parking lot of Our Lady of Mercy Church at 4432 N. Troy st.

Part of a nationwide call for action, the protestors said with some many businesses closed due to the COVID-19 virus, they worried about they will pay for rent and mortgages and called for additional financial support for renters, homeowners and small landlords.

Nick Stender chats for a rent freeze during a vehicle caravan protest Saturday in Albany Park.

Kathryn Stender (left), Curt Oren, and Jenna Briasco (right), listen to a speech during a protest Saturday in Albany Park that called for a rent freeze amid the coronavirus pandemic.