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Young Black Organizers Demand an Investigation into Chicago’s Police Department, Mayor’s Office, & Illinois State’s Attorney


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Image: BYP100 (Twitter)

CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–November 27, 2015 – On Tuesday, November 24th, organizers of the Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100),  We Charge Genocide, Assata’s Daughters, Fearless Leading by the Youth (FLY), #LetUsBreathe Collective, and Black Lives Matter: Chicago (BLM) shut down the intersection of Roosevelt and State Street to demand an immediate divestment from the Chicago Police Department after the tape cover-up of the death of Laquan Mcdonald.

While exercising their constitutional rights to peacefully assemble and voice freedom of speech, BYP100 and fellow organizers were targeted, beaten, and arrested by the Chicago Police Department. “ The violence that occurred Tuesday night at the protest was started by the unnecessary and brutal use of force by the Chicago Police Department. CPD infringed on our right to assemble and purposely targeted young Black leaders from our organizations”, said Jasson Perrez, National Co-chair of BYP100.

BYP100 is calling on an immediate defunding of the Chicago Police Department and a reinvestment into programs and policies that have a positive impact in Black communities, such as: mental health clinics, trauma centers, job creation, and quality public education. “ FLY organized for over 5 years to have a trauma center on the South Side of Chicago. We need more resources in our communities like quality public schools and jobs so Black people can survive and reach their fullest potential. It is ridiculous that the Mayor of Chicago and Chicago Aldermen passed a budget that gives 40% of spending to a police force that is terrorizing our communities”, said FLY Organizer, Veronica Moore.

BYP100 demands that Illinois State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and CPD Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy resign from office for their participation in the cover-up of the tape of Laquan McDonald’s death and their decision to keep CPD Officer, Jason Van Dyke on the force after murdering McDonald.

“We are calling for an immediate resignation of  Alvarez, Emanuel, and McCarthy; in addition to a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and United Nations investigation into the Chicago Police Department. The tape cover-up conspiracy of Laquan’s death is proof that Alvarez, Emanuel, and CPD do not stand for justice and are corrupt public servants. Our communities are less safe because of their decisions and they are unqualified to lead and protect our city”, said BYP100 Organizer Rachel Williams.

Since the release of the Laquan McDonald tape, BYP100 and fellow organizers will continue to demand that Chicago elected officials and CPD are held accountable for the violence they inflict on the Black community and their negligence to address demands for police accountability and funding for resources necessary for Black communities to thrive.

Related Material:

Chicago’s Black Youth to Mobilize Over Video Release in Police Shooting Death of Laquan McDonald

Chicago youth groups lead demonstration for Laquan McDonald #16shots

Black Lives Matter protests were nonviolent, but certainly not calm: Two large Black Lives Matter protests in Chicago and Minneapolis Tuesday night resulted in no violence. But that wasn’t the whole story

Chicago Activist: City’s Call for Peace over Laquan McDonald Video Does Not Extend to Police Dept.

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Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100) is an activist member-based organization of Black 18-35 year olds, dedicated to creating justice and freedom for all Black people. We do this through building a network focused on transformative leadership development, direct action organizing, advocacy and education using a Black queer feminist lens. We are an organization affiliated with the Black Youth Project.

Source: Black Youth Project 100


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