#abolish CPD

[mantra4ia]

If we can't trust law enforcement to operate (and assess the tactical problems of) a strobe flashlight, why should they have qualified immunity and a firearm?

The seventh-grader still played with Hot Wheels and Legos at home and had no criminal history, his mother said.

Adam Toledo had empty hands in the air when he was shot and killed. He was a 13 year old child. He should be alive today. Chicago PD should be abolished.

Source

[riarevenge]

some footage and pictures from the protests in chicago after news of adam toledo’s murder almost a month ago. thousands joined, including indigenous activists to mourn the loss of a little boy. during the six hour protest, at one point, people chanted “we love you, we love you” to members of the toledo family. of course, riot police did show up and while protestors were being calm and peaceful, they still decided to arrest a protester who was walking home. they still decided to knock over protestors while hitting and shoving with their batons. the police never need a reason to be violent, they’ll always find a way. new york also held protests for adam toledo and daunte wright who should both still be with us. i hope any of you who are from chicago or new york, or any place with protests going on stay safe and keep letting their voices be heard. 🖤

[mayazazhil]

[riotchicago]

July 20, 2020: Protesters occupy the State street bridge while the Michigan avenue bridge is raised to help police secure a five block perimeter around Trump tower. The march had hoped to get close to building but police wouldn’t allow it. Throughout the summer of 2020 mayor Lori Lightfoot raised the bridges to restrict protesters and looters from accessing the Loop, making it clear she prizes the city’s wealthy over those struggling in working class neighborhoods. 

[teamapplesauce]

Daisies and Democracy

The above photo set depicts a woman handing out flowers at a Black Lives Matter protest in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Zoe Sturges, a 26 year old kindergarten teacher, was arrested on June 6, 2020 after she elegantly handed daisies to police officers and other nearby law enforcement. After climbing over the road barricade, Zoe calmly and peacefully approached the local police officers and gave them flowers as a gesture of peace and love. After being arrested, she was released and cited for “failure to disperse.” It is understandable that she was given a citation because she did cross the barricade and she did not disperse when directed, however the initial arrest was completely unnecessary. 

Zoe Sturges’ arrest would have been justified if she had been antagonizing, chaotic, or violent. Instead, she was incredibly loving and graceful; just sharing a small glimpse of happiness and light during such a dark and emotional time. Zoe later said that she was trying to show her kindergarten students what their rights are and that they can fight for what they believe in. 

Many people who still disagree with the Black Lives Matter movement will argue that if the protests were peaceful and respectful of our law enforcement, then people wouldn’t be arrested, shot with rubber bullets, tear gassed, etc. However, Zoe was doing exactly that. She was sweet and respectful of the police officers and showed them a piece of kindness they had not seen during the protests. The only thing she did wrong was cross a barricade to give them to the officers and not disperse immediately. That does not justify an arrest. It does justify the citation but she should not have been arrested. The first amendment gives us the right to free speech. How are we supposed to exercise that right properly if people are arrested for sharing their voice? How are we supposed to stand for what we believe in if we are shot, tear gassed, and beaten for speaking out? How are we supposed to respect the people who are meant to protect us and our rights when they try to keep us from fighting for those same rights? 

At all protests, the police should do nothing besides watch and protect the people. If there is an outbreak of violence or extreme hate, then obviously the local law enforcement should intervene. However, at most Black Lives Matter protests, the police actively try to stop and disperse the people. It is our right to come together to speak out about what we believe in. It is unjust that police will force those exercising their first amendment to disperse and make mass arrests when they don’t. 

The police system is incredibly corrupt with systemic racism, improper training, the use of excessive force, and so much more. We should be allowed to fight for that change. We should especially be able to voice our opinions peacefully, like Zoe Sturges did, without being arrested. Even though she did cross a barricade, she was arrested for handing out daisies.

(written and posted by Shannah Roberts on October 29, 2020 at 12:42 p.m)

[thecolacorporation]

[concernedcitizensforjustice]

The #SouthernPeoplesPower Weekend of Actions concludes today as we #ShowOurPower! Tune in to the SMA Power Hour Today at 2 p.m. EST/ 1 p.m. CST as we lift up and celebrate coordinated actions from the weekend.

(See the Southern Movement Assembly Facebook or YouTube for today’s livestream)

•

Instead of more than $71,000,000 going to the CPD each year, the Care Over Cops and Cages:Rolling Block Party amplified visions of education instead of deportation, mental/health care instead of police, abolishing prisons and ending money bail instead of criminalizing poverty in our city.

•

Special thanks to everyone in Chatt that supported this action and turned up with us—shoutout to the action team from the SMA organizing crew for providing a toolkit and stipends for supplies, Highlander Center education team for providing meal vouchers for the safety and sound crew, and to our impromptu photography team @jasmincelis and @_dezharris (Instagram)

We’ll see y’all at 2pm! ���

#P100TakeOver #HearThePeople #EducateAgitateOrganize #WeDeclare

[antifa-furry-soldier]

I'm absolutely livid that there are people still defending police. Almost a year later and the cops are being just as ruthless. In April alone we've had 3 major incidents (Adam Toledo, a 13 year old shot to death by CPD; Daunte Wright, murdered over an air freshener; and Lt. Caron Nazario, a uniformed army veteran whose abuse was covered up for months), and those are just the ones I've seen trending on twitter. I know there are many more. This is all happening in the backdrop of the Derek Chauvin trial, a show of how disgusting skeevy police will be at all times to protect murderers in their ranks.

And we just know about this because it's happening in public. If this is how US authorities act towards members of the public, imagine how they act in ICE camps and towards undocumented/unhoused people. The naked racism and abuse is on full display. Reform would not, could not stop these problems. We must abolish the police, prisons, ICE, and all other systems of racism and abuse.

[radicalurbanista]

9.14.21. Chicago

CPD arrest non-violent protestors demanding that federal COVID reliefs help those most in need and impacted by COVID. Mayor Lightfoot spent almost 70% of CARES Act discretionary funds on police payroll. 4.5% went to public health.

Write or call your alderperson to demand COVID relief funds help those most harmed by COVID

[abolitionistjohnbrown]

Reminder... Counter-Rally

Back the Blue has organized a “Support Law Enforcement” rally at the Homan Square ‘Black Site’.

https://www.facebook.com/events/303975404280794/

This comes on the heels of a rally and march that Black and Indigenous protest groups organized to celebrate the 4 year anniversary of Freedom Square, a moment of liberated space and sustained struggle against the corrupt and secretive CPD torture site at Homan Square.

It is an insult that they are coming to turn Freedom Square into a Pro-Cop Trump Rally.

In recent weeks, Back the Blue has hosted numerous rallies to offer moral support to the increasingly demoralized and de-legitimized CPD, who brutalized protesters at the Decolonize Zhigaagoong event at the now ex-colombus statue downtown. At the same time, in many cities like Portland, New York, Albuquerque, federal agents have been regularly brutalizing protesters in unprecedented ways. FOP union boss John Catanzara begged his fascist buddy Trump to assist CPD, who obliged with a surge of federal agents under “Operation Legend”. The results have at the moment seemingly been an increase in joint-arrests for guns and drugs, further incarcerating black and brown folks in an era of extreme heightened health risks behind bars due to Covid 19 and the failure of Tom Dart to ensure basic safety measures for the people trapped in Cook County Jail.

They also organized this rally in response to the apparent suicide of Deputy Chief Dion Boyd that occurred within the walls of this CPD facility.

Here is a link to a blog with some detailed information on Back the Blue Chicago, including info on their speakers, photos of their rallies, and a brief analysis of their messaging.

https://shieldwallchicago.noblogs.org/post/2020/08/07/the-whos-who-of-back-the-blue/

We are going to host a Block Party and a For the People Open Mic, where we will elevate voices in the community affected by the police menace and their BS grassroots movement.

We will meet and gather at the NW Corner of the recently renamed Frederick Douglass Park (Albany and Roosevelt) and prepare for a short march to Freedom Square to hold our counter-rally.

Bring Friends / comrades

Bike if you can

Noise Makers / Instruments

Stuff to BBQ

Signs / Banners

Something to share at the open mic

You can never have too many sound systems / speakers

Please be aware that the Back the Blue rally is literally an invasion of riled up, mostly white MAGA types, who are prone to aggressive behavior on those they view as their opposition, specifically BLM protesters and Antifa. There is unfortunately no safe space when the Blue Lifers are around. However, we welcome a culture of Community Self-Defense, and we will protect each other.

Here is our messaging:

BLACK LIVES MATTER

CPAC NOW

SHUT DOWN THE HOMAN SQUARE TORTURE SITE

NO COP ACADEMY

FREE THEM ALL @ COOK COUNTY JAIL

DEFUND CPD --- REFUND THE COMMUNITY

ABOLISH ICE

FED Go home

[mayazazhil]

[riotchicago]

A Whitney Young Magnet High School student march crosses over the Eisenhower Expressway as the sun sets on August 11, 2020. BIPOC youth have been relentless in their demand to remove Chicago police officers from public schools, and to cancel the $33 million dollar contract CPS has with CPD. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has opposed taking CPD out of CPS, despite individual schools voting cops out at an increasing rate. 

[teamapplesauce]

Excessive Force is Never Okay

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJa9h25j/

It has been 150 days since George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minneapolis. Since then, there have been hundreds of Black Lives Matter protests across the United States. In the video above, a large group of police officers are shown violently restraining protestors. The video focuses on one protestor in particular, who is in a wheelchair and is obviously paralyzed from the waist down. The man was defending himself from the officers who then pushed over his wheelchair, dragged him out onto the pavement, and used excessive force to restrain him. The man was trying to get back in his wheelchair while his legs still were caught in the seat. As several officers tried to restrain him, he resisted out of fear and tried to push them away. The police then yanked away his wheelchair from him and one officer threw and broke it. Protestors in the background recorded the incident and screamed back at the police for what they were doing to this man.

While there is no background information or context given on the situation, the force displayed by these officers was far too excessive for a protest for equality. Those who are against the Black Lives Matter movement or those who support the Blue Lives Matter movement instead, often argue that the violence used by the police is always justified. Their main argument is that the whole story isn’t shown and that the protestors did something to deserve the brutality, like starting a fire, assaulting an officer, etc. While this can sometimes be the case, there is no situation where a paralyzed man would need to be thrown on the ground, brutally restrained by multiple officers, and his wheelchair destroyed during a protest for equality. Their goal should be to de-escalate the situation, calm the crowd, and PEACEFULLY restrain the person(s). Aren’t people innocent until proven guilty? Even if he had started a fire or hurt someone, the actions displayed by the police officers present is absolutely horrifying.

As children, we are taught to respect and trust our law enforcement and Police. Another common argument against Black Lives Matter protestors is “Well, if they respected our police and complied like you’re supposed to, then nothing bad would’ve happened.” How can we possibly do that when we see innocent people standing up for what they believe in get tear gassed, shot with rubber bullets, thrown on the ground, beaten, and arrested without cause? How can black children trust the people who shot their parents during a “routine” traffic stop? How can they trust the people who shut down protests fighting for their right to live but protected those with MAGA hats and screamed “all/white lives matter”? How can persons of color be expected to perfectly and calmly comply with police when they are in fear for their lives?  How can anyone stay calm when they have a gun pointed at them? Black Lives Matter is not a trend. It is not just a blip in the chaos of 2020. It is not an overreaction to police brutality. It is a continuation of the Civil Rights Movement. It is a fight for equality. It is a fight against racism. It is a fight for what is right. Black lives DO matter.

(written and posted by Shannah Roberts on October 23, 2020 at 9:45 a.m.)

[koreanpike3-blog]

5 Things To Know About City Council’s Halloween Meeting

Chicago aldermen, some dressed in elaborate Halloween costumes, met for a packed day of tricks and treats on Wednesday. Some big-ticket development projects got the greenlight from aldermen, including a land lease for the Obama Presidential Center, despite a legal challenge to that deal.

And with the city election around the corner, aldermen are introducing plans to get ahead of neighborhood issues that could decide some city council seats, like parking tickets and affordable housing.

Here’s a look at what else went down in your city government today.

Aldermen: Make the rich pay for homeless services, lead abatement, pensions

With limited options for new revenue in Chicago, all eyes are on a one-time tax the city imposes on sales of expensive properties. Three aldermen who represent rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods want to increase the tax to cover homeless services, most of which are funded at the whims of state and federal governments, and private grants. The Council’s Progressive Caucus wants that revenue to cover lead abatement in the city’s water pipes. And Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th Ward) wants that money to cover police and fire pensions.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) says with the election around the corner and serious tax fatigue among voters, it’s the only practical option. The Association of Chicago Realtors opposes the plan, saying home sales shouldn’t be tied to any of those issues.

All three proposals have been sent to Rules Committee, chaired by Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward).

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, stories and insider events.

You've signed up to receive emails. Please check your email for a welcome confirmation.

If any resolution makes it out of the committee known as “the place where legislation goes to die,” the question would go before voters in February.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel shot down the idea of increasing the tax on expensive property sales.

“I don’t think you should treat the homeowners as an ATM machine,” Emanuel said. “I think that’s a mistake and I think that will actually impact other things economically that affect the well-being of the city.”

Most ballot questions in Chicago are nonbinding, meaning even if it ended up as a question on the ballot in February and people voted in support of it, city law wouldn’t change. State law requires a binding referendum for any increase of the real estate transfer tax. The last time this happened was in 2008, when the city hiked the tax for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).

Anticlimactic end to civilian control of police

There were no eruptions from the gallery, no grandstanding by the lead sponsor, no discussion at all, just a quick note that the plan for civilian control of the Chicago Police Department died in committee earlier this week. Public support for the plan known as “CPAC” was made known at dozens of community meetings on police reform held across the city.

It would have made sweeping changes to how allegations of police misconduct are investigated. An elected board, one representative from each of the city’s 22 police districts, would have had sole control, because it would have abolished the city Police Board, the newly minted Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the Bureau of Internal Affairs within CPD.

A less dramatic plan, known as GAPA, is still in play. With the election around the corner, more aldermen are signing on to that plan as co-sponsors.

Related: What’s the difference between CPAC and GAPA?

New office to enforce minimum wage, workers rights

Chicago has passed a number of laws to protect workers in recent years, including an increase to the minimum wage, a requirement to offer paid sick days, and an anti-wage theft ordinance. But as the new laws went into effect, advocates grew concerned that many businesses were not complying.

Over the last year, they lobbied aldermen and worked with city officials to create a new Office of Labor Standards. Aldermen approved the creation of the office at today’s meeting and it’s expected to launch in 2019.  

At a press conference before the vote, members of ARISE Chicago, which fought for the new office, celebrated its creation, and thanked aldermen who ushered it through City Council, including Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th Ward).

“It is a shame that there are so many businesses in the city of Chicago that take advantage of the workers that make their profits keep going up, up, and up every year,” Maldonado said. “I’m going to make sure that moving forward, once we open up the office, that it is really doing what it’s supposed to do.”

Several major redevelopments approved

In addition to clearing the way for the Obama Presidential Center to break ground in Jackson Park, the city greenlit a few large redevelopments downtown.

The first is the redevelopment of the former Tribune warehouse along the Chicago River. According to the zoning change approved Wednesday, the waterfront site will now include offices, a hotel, retail space, and nearly 6,000 residential units. The location is prime real estate given its proximity to downtown and connection to the soon-to-be re-developed North Branch Industrial Corridor. Residents close to the North Branch area have expressed concerns with increased development causing traffic congestion and limiting potential green space around the river.

The council also approved a major construction plan at Union Station, including an extension on top of the historic Head House building that will house a hotel. There will also be a new office tower next door and a park where a parking garage now stands.  

Some aldermen want to legalize, regulate video gambling in the city

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) introduced a measure that would “allow for sweepstakes machines to operate in the city of Chicago,” he said.

The sweepstakes devices operate much like video gambling machines — which are forbidden in Chicago — and have spread across Chicago, WBEZ reported in August.

The state’s Gaming Board says sweepstakes machines are not legal, but operators of the devices say they’re just taking advantage of a loophole in Illinois law.

“There’s some confusion about whether they’re legal or not,” Villegas said.

He said his proposal would let the city license sweepstakes machines — and tax them.

A council committee recently held a hearing on another proposal to clearly ban the devices. The chief sponsor of that pending ordinance is mayoral floor leader Patrick O’Connor (40th Ward), and a majority of aldermen have signed on to the measure.

Dan Mihalopoulos contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/5-things-to-know-about-city-councils-halloween-meeting/49bb38b4-9290-4246-bb92-ee90b14c5d4f

[lakethread48-blog]

5 Things To Know About City Council’s Halloween Meeting

Chicago aldermen, some dressed in elaborate Halloween costumes, met for a packed day of tricks and treats on Wednesday. Some big-ticket development projects got the greenlight from aldermen, including a land lease for the Obama Presidential Center, despite a legal challenge to that deal.

And with the city election around the corner, aldermen are introducing plans to get ahead of neighborhood issues that could decide some city council seats, like parking tickets and affordable housing.

Here’s a look at what else went down in your city government today.

Aldermen: Make the rich pay for homeless services, lead abatement, pensions

With limited options for new revenue in Chicago, all eyes are on a one-time tax the city imposes on sales of expensive properties. Three aldermen who represent rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods want to increase the tax to cover homeless services, most of which are funded at the whims of state and federal governments, and private grants. The Council’s Progressive Caucus wants that revenue to cover lead abatement in the city’s water pipes. And Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th Ward) wants that money to cover police and fire pensions.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) says with the election around the corner and serious tax fatigue among voters, it’s the only practical option. The Association of Chicago Realtors opposes the plan, saying home sales shouldn’t be tied to any of those issues.

All three proposals have been sent to Rules Committee, chaired by Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward).

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, stories and insider events.

You've signed up to receive emails. Please check your email for a welcome confirmation.

If any resolution makes it out of the committee known as “the place where legislation goes to die,” the question would go before voters in February.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel shot down the idea of increasing the tax on expensive property sales.

“I don’t think you should treat the homeowners as an ATM machine,” Emanuel said. “I think that’s a mistake and I think that will actually impact other things economically that affect the well-being of the city.”

Most ballot questions in Chicago are nonbinding, meaning even if it ended up as a question on the ballot in February and people voted in support of it, city law wouldn’t change. State law requires a binding referendum for any increase of the real estate transfer tax. The last time this happened was in 2008, when the city hiked the tax for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).

Anticlimactic end to civilian control of police

There were no eruptions from the gallery, no grandstanding by the lead sponsor, no discussion at all, just a quick note that the plan for civilian control of the Chicago Police Department died in committee earlier this week. Public support for the plan known as “CPAC” was made known at dozens of community meetings on police reform held across the city.

It would have made sweeping changes to how allegations of police misconduct are investigated. An elected board, one representative from each of the city’s 22 police districts, would have had sole control, because it would have abolished the city Police Board, the newly minted Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the Bureau of Internal Affairs within CPD.

A less dramatic plan, known as GAPA, is still in play. With the election around the corner, more aldermen are signing on to that plan as co-sponsors.

Related: What’s the difference between CPAC and GAPA?

New office to enforce minimum wage, workers rights

Chicago has passed a number of laws to protect workers in recent years, including an increase to the minimum wage, a requirement to offer paid sick days, and an anti-wage theft ordinance. But as the new laws went into effect, advocates grew concerned that many businesses were not complying.

Over the last year, they lobbied aldermen and worked with city officials to create a new Office of Labor Standards. Aldermen approved the creation of the office at today’s meeting and it’s expected to launch in 2019.  

At a press conference before the vote, members of ARISE Chicago, which fought for the new office, celebrated its creation, and thanked aldermen who ushered it through City Council, including Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th Ward).

“It is a shame that there are so many businesses in the city of Chicago that take advantage of the workers that make their profits keep going up, up, and up every year,” Maldonado said. “I’m going to make sure that moving forward, once we open up the office, that it is really doing what it’s supposed to do.”

Several major redevelopments approved

In addition to clearing the way for the Obama Presidential Center to break ground in Jackson Park, the city greenlit a few large redevelopments downtown.

The first is the redevelopment of the former Tribune warehouse along the Chicago River. According to the zoning change approved Wednesday, the waterfront site will now include offices, a hotel, retail space, and nearly 6,000 residential units. The location is prime real estate given its proximity to downtown and connection to the soon-to-be re-developed North Branch Industrial Corridor. Residents close to the North Branch area have expressed concerns with increased development causing traffic congestion and limiting potential green space around the river.

The council also approved a major construction plan at Union Station, including an extension on top of the historic Head House building that will house a hotel. There will also be a new office tower next door and a park where a parking garage now stands.  

Some aldermen want to legalize, regulate video gambling in the city

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward) introduced a measure that would “allow for sweepstakes machines to operate in the city of Chicago,” he said.

The sweepstakes devices operate much like video gambling machines — which are forbidden in Chicago — and have spread across Chicago, WBEZ reported in August.

The state’s Gaming Board says sweepstakes machines are not legal, but operators of the devices say they’re just taking advantage of a loophole in Illinois law.

“There’s some confusion about whether they’re legal or not,” Villegas said.

He said his proposal would let the city license sweepstakes machines — and tax them.

A council committee recently held a hearing on another proposal to clearly ban the devices. The chief sponsor of that pending ordinance is mayoral floor leader Patrick O’Connor (40th Ward), and a majority of aldermen have signed on to the measure.

Dan Mihalopoulos contributed to this report.

Source: https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/5-things-to-know-about-city-councils-halloween-meeting/49bb38b4-9290-4246-bb92-ee90b14c5d4f

[chelmsford-fe]

As the teaching unions’ conference season draws to a close, the call by the National Education Union to abolish Ofsted seems a legitimate way to dismantle the accountability framework that has driven the climate of fear for far too long. (via Pocket)