Chicagoans Brave Subzero Temperatures to Protest Police Brutality Following Tyre Nichols’ Death

More than 100 people braved freezing temperatures to protest police killings Monday night after Memphis police brutally beat Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, in a traffic stop video released gathered at the Federal Plaza in the Loop to

Calling protesters to vote, especially in the upcoming Police District Council elections, and calling for the Chicago City Council to pass a “Peace Book” ordinance to reallocate some of the police budget to the city’s peace initiatives remain major concerns. It was a great focus. night.

For the first time, Chicago voters will see the Police District Council election on their ballots. These district representatives are responsible for working with agency officials on community police matters.

[ Gatherings remain calm in Chicago after release of Memphis police video ]

Organized by the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Oppression, Innocent Demand Justice, and SOUL (South Siders Organized for Unity and Liberation), the Loop protests were joined by small groups of people who gathered around the city over the weekend. It happened later. Mayor Lori Lightfoot called on protesters to keep the peace when the video of Nichols’ beating was released.

Co-Chairman of the alliance, Cobi Guillory, started by calling out to the protester, “Say his name,” and had the crowd repeatedly shout “Tire Nichols.” Guillory, who moderated the protest, introduced Frank Chapman, director of education and field organizer for the Alliance.

“We see the same thing year after year,” Chapman said. “That’s because the system doesn’t change. It’s the same system. And it keeps killing us until we stick together and unite and fight.”

Chapman urged attendees to vote, not just in the mayoral and alderman races.

“Grit your teeth and do whatever you have to do, but get out there on Election Day,” he said. And I’m not talking about the mayor. I’m not talking about the alderman. I’m talking about voting for the district council The thing is…the solution is not in the White House,” he said.

“No way,” the protester replied.

“The solution is not in the State Capitol,” Chapman continued. “The solution is not in the mayor’s office. They had a chance to do it…and what did they do with it? The solution is us.”

Organizers invited candidates for the Police District Council to speak, including Arewa Karen Winters, a female congressional candidate for the 15th Police District.

Karen Winters said, “No matter how much we think we have achieved the American Dream, we must constantly confront the systemic and institutional structures of all forms of racism.

Winters, who said his 16-year-old great-nephew Pierre Laurie was shot dead by Chicago police, said police officers should possess “certain characteristics” such as compassion, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, tolerance and honesty. added that there is

“They must have a spirit of discernment, respect for human life, common sense and stability,” she said. “In this current situation, it has to be more than a job or a career. It has to be a way of life.”

William “The Kid” Guerrero, 21, from Pilsen, who is running for district council for the 12th Police District, also spoke to protesters about Nichols’ beating and killing.

“Where’s the justice? And it doesn’t have to be Chicago — the same thing is happening here in Chicago,” Guerrero said.

Bishop Tavis Grant, deputy national executive director of the Chicago-based nonprofit Rainbow/Push Coalition, called the beating “an example of institutionalized racism against a 140-pound body harboring the spirit of Tire Nichols.” “One of America’s most brutal acts.”

Cassandra Greer Lee, the widow of former Cook County Jail inmate Nicholas Lee, who died of COVID-19 in April 2020, held a sign with a picture of her husband. Her activism is fueled by her belief that prison officials did not act quickly enough to contain her COVID-19 early in the pandemic.

Greeley spoke through tears. “I’m a little shattered and broken,” she said, referring to Tire Nichols. I wish I could have helped him because I’m watching him.”

After offering condolences to Nicholls’ family, she asked attendees to vote in the upcoming election, and what she said was Lightfoot’s hypocritical $16.4 billion spending plan, which she hopes will lead to Chicago next year. He pointed out that the overall police budget would be $1.94 billion.

After the speech, a group of protesters walked down West Adams Street, then turned onto North State Street and then via West Randolph Street to reach the Thompson Center’s Atrium Mall.

They yelled out the names of people of color who had been allegedly murdered by police over the past few years, including Breonna Taylor, Armaud Arbery, George Floyd, Manuel “Tortuguita” Terran and Laquan MacDonald.

The protests dispersed after organizers thanked those in attendance and made sure everyone knew to leave with their mates and stay warm.

adperez@chicagotribun.com