CHICAGO LEADERS, ACTIVISTS RESPOND TO BALTIMORE RIOTS
A solidarity protest is planned for Tuesday at 6 p.m. in front of the Chicago Police Department headquarters, located in the 3500-block of South Michigan Avenue. Members of We Charge Genocide, The Chicago Light Brigade, Black Lives Matter: Chicago and Chicago Socialists – ISO are expected to join the demonstration, which comes a week after Chicago Police Officer Dante Servinwas found not guilty in the shooting death of Rekia Boyd on the city’s South Side.
Organizers say they want to show their support for the protestors there and also call attention to incidents in Chicago.
“I have hope that justice can come non-violently, but it also comes through violence. That’s the reality of America,” said Breanna Champion, Black Youth Project 100.
Demonstrators are calling for the firing of Servin.
“One of our main objectives is to let them know that we are serious, as well as hurt and angry, and this is just one of the many steps of protest that we plan to take,” Champion said.
The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the Servin case.
On Tuesday, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy announced a “neighborhood outreach tour” in Chicago involving police officers, clergy, activists and residents in several communities. McCarthy insists his meetings with community members are not a response to the protests, nor are they political.
“We’re not experiencing the same issues on such a level and we want to keep it that way – so we want to make sure that there’s an open dialogue,” said Chicago Police Supt. Gerry McCarthy.
Protestors have taken to the streets of Chicago frequently over issues related to police behavior, and much of that is rooted in unrest in minority communities.
“I’m a student of Dr. King so I never believed in violence as a solution, but at the same time, this didn’t come out of a vacuum, this comes out of years and years of rage and anger and feeling neglected and abandoned,” said Father Michael Pfleger, St. Sabina Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, Pastor Corey Brooks, who leads New Beginnings Church of Chicago, is headed to Baltimore on Tuesday to push for peace among the young protesters.
Brooks will be working alongside the pastor who gave the eulogy at Freddie Gray’s funeral. He said his goal is to spread peace.
“To lend a voice, to talk to young people, that’s what I’m called to do. That’s what I feel led to do. I want to do anything and everything I can to help our people not just seek for justice, but also to have peace. That’s what it’s all about,” Brooks said.
Brooks plans to attend an event at a Baltimore temple Tuesday night.
“We plan to go to crowds. We plan to go to some of the schools. I’m going to be visiting with Pastor Jamal Bryant. We’re going to go to those different not-for-profit organizations and anyone who will allow us to speak,” Brooks said.
Pastor Brooks said he is not worried about his safety. He said he is more worried about the safety of Baltimore’s young people and more looting or rioting.
http://abc7chicago.com/news/chicago-leaders-activists-respond-to-baltimore-riots/684891/
