A number of community organizations and individuals issued responses to the release of video footage that showed the death of Laquan McDonald. Organizations called for a range of actions, from closer investigations of the Chicago Police Department to the resignation of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.
Black Youth Project 100 ( BYP100 ) called for the 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.
"Fearless Leading by the Youth ( 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 also demanded that Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CPD Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy resign from office. "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.
"This has been a remarkable few days in Chicago," said Edwin Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. "Thousands of residents—young and old, African American, White, Latino and Middle Eastern, from all parts of the City—have come together to express outrage and demand action in the wake of the death of Laquan McDonald, the young man killed by a Chicago police officer. The voices raised in protest this week should be heard and heeded by City and County officials. … We call on U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to authorize such an investigation, and urge City and County officials to be cooperative, open and transparent in such a probe."
Lambda Legal Executive Director Kevin Cathcart added, "This story is all too familiar, and, once again, shows unnecessary violence perpetrated against a Black person at the hands of the police — who take oaths to protect and serve all citizens. The subsequent inaction only furthered the pain of a community whose faith in this system is left wanting."
"We at Equality Illinois are outraged and saddened by the killing of Laquan McDonald," said Equality Illinois CEO Bernard Cherkasov. "We offer our condolences and support to his family and friends. … We will continue to engage in focused advocacy, dialogue, and education to end violence against marginalized communities and to ensure lived equality for all people."
Officials from AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) and Pride Action Tank noted that those organizations "work with some of the most ignored people in society—people living with and vulnerable to HIV and related chronic diseases and LGBTQ people. Our work requires an intersectional approach that embraces the impact of race, gender identity, economic level, and more. We recognize that real reforms in policing, education, health care access, housing, jobs and so much more are critical to improving health outcomes and creating thriving communities.
"AFC and the Pride Action Tank call on Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago City Council to improve training for police, review all police records for patterns of abuse, and take stronger action against the small number of police who are accountable for the most alleged abuses. We are committed to transforming systems, policies and resources so that there is no doubt that #BlackLivesMatter."
Illinois Safe Schools Alliance ( the Alliance ) Executive Director Anthony Papini said the organization "is outraged and saddened by the death of Laquan McDonald. We express our condolences to his family and to all those who have experienced police violence. The Alliance works with young people across intersecting identities who are often the target of violence in their schools and communities. We join the voices speaking out against this senseless violence, the lack of accountability, and the need for systemic reform of these systems that continue to oppress Black youth and other youth of color."
"His name was Laquan McDonald," wrote Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa ( 35 ). "He was 17 years old. Like many of you, it's taken me time to process Laquan's horrific murder and his harrowing final moments. There are no words. I am deeply saddened. I am deeply upset. May the justice that was denied to Laquan now prevail in the courtroom. I am committed to working with restorative justice advocates, civil liberties experts, and Black community leaders to address the institutional ills that denied Laquan McDonald the dignity and justice he deserved."
Affinity Community Services also issued a letter to its members. View at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Affinity-Community-Services-Thanksgiving-in-times-of-turmoil/53530.html .
Related coverage at the link www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Protesters-close-down-the-Magnificent-Mile/53529.html .
