A New Movement of Change: The Power of Protest

Every generation has a wake-up call and the lines between Generation X'er's and Millenniums are no longer blurred—they have joined forces together. Sixty years ago, marks the week that Rosa Parks changed America—refusing to give up her seat to a White man on a segregated Montgomery, Alabama bus. The actions of her generation and those after-- sparked a roaring fire of change paving the path that continues to resonate our young voices today.

Since last Tuesday’s video release of the brutal murder of Laquan McDonald, young protesters from every race, culture and religion has mobilized their efforts to voice their disgust and intolerance of such a hideous crime. The largest stage of marches was organized on Black Friday—one of the most profitable days for retailers after Thanksgiving Day.

The fate of Chicago has rested on the fallout of the latest case from the Chicago Police Department’s mishandling of Laquan McDonald’s murder. The 17-year old was shot 16 times by police officer, Jason Van Dyke last October 20, 2014. They were called when he fit the description of a person spotted trying to break into cars based on what some neighbors reported. Since then, there has been a firestorm of facts released surrounding McDonald’s death and most importantly how he died.

Last Monday, officer Van Dyke was arrested and charged with the murder of Laquan McDonald—the first Chicago Police officer in decades to do so.

Mayor Rham Emanuel and Superintendent Garry McCarthy put in place a series of ‘damage control’ strategies to prevent what the city of Ferguson, Missouri has endured from the countless protests and marches revolving around Michael Brown’s murder. What has been deemed as a messy ‘cover up’ from the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez office for over the past 14 months has been placed on the doorstep of the world – through the lenses of a police dash-cam.

Cook County judge, Franklin Valderrama ordered, the release the video of Laquan McDonald being shot multiple times to the public no later November 25. The anticipation of rioting, protests, looting and vigilantism, was the fear of many high ranking city and county officials. With the Mayor holding emergency meetings involving faith and community leaders, a message for calm and order was place on them to deliver to predominately African-American communities throughout the city.

On the West Side, a press conference was held by members of the Black Aldermanic Caucus, State legislators, Cook County Commissioners and community leaders at MacArthur’s Restaurant hours before the video footage was released.

Alderman Emma Mitts (37th Ward) shared her outrage at the ongoing treatment of African-American residents, “We want you to be angry, rightfully so because I'm angry. I understand that anger can go inside internally but I want it to come out with a positive outcome in the end. The abuse and mistreatment on African-Americans must stop,” Mitts said. “We've seen too many times on cases that we're spending tons of dollars, everyday because of police brutality. We no longer want that stereotype in our neighborhood because you look at a Black person—you disrespect them. That is what we're getting and that is what's happening in our community.”

As each public official stood at the podium addressing the press with their anger at how this situation was handled by the involved parties—there was also a sense of regret at how often they don’t question the Mayor on these matters. City Council approved the $5 million settlement earlier this year in April without raising questions regarding the case.

In 2014, the City of Chicago has paid $54.2 million in settlements related to police misconduct cases. Most of these cases involved alleged force, failure to provide medical care, illegal search or seizure, false arrest and various other complaints. This also include the victim's attorney fees and it does not include fees billed by the city's attorneys in defense of these cases.

At a press conference held the day after the video was released publicly, members of the Black Aldermanic Caucus spoke to reporters at City Hall about being practicing transparency in moving forward policy and accountability as it relates to police misconduct and abuse.

Alderman Leslie Hairston was not satisfied with how the Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA) handled this and other situations. She said, “Everyone has to be accountable. I haven't heard anyone talk about IPRA. IPRA is specifically tasked in investigating this. They are tasked with presenting policy for changes in the Chicago Police Department. What changes have they proposed?,” Hairston said. “We talk about transparency on one end and not follow it on the other end.”

The most apparent observation at these press conferences was the lack of presence by young leaders who rarely is seen speaking alongside familiar and older faces when discussing issues that affect our community. There has been a growing disconnect between generations and this latest black-eye of police brutality and cover-up has brought it to the surface.

What they didn’t anticipate were the 'new thinkers' of protest—not through the power of destroying our neighborhoods but through the power of economic suffocation. For several decades, Chicago was the breeding ground for some of our most recognizable African-American Civil Rights leaders—men and women who put their lives on the line every day.—A. From A. Philip Randolph, Ida B. Wells, Fred Hampton, Sr., James Forman, Rev. Willie Barrow, Marva Collins to former Congressman Gus Savage. These strong voices for our communities have passed on yet they have contributed to designing the blueprint of protest against social oppression and injustice.

In the latest series of events, we’ve come to realize in the Black community, the elders that still thrive today are important but years of a generational disconnect has weaken their hold on the civil rights movement.

On a rainy day, approximately 1,000 people showed up at the Michigan Ave. and Wacker Drive bridge to mobilize their efforts to march down the Magnificent Mile on the busiest day for holiday retail shoppers. Three large groups of protesters descended on the Mag Mile. The first frontline of marchers included a fearless group of community activists sharing their disdain for Black City council members, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Superintendent Garry McCarthy and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez. They marched passed the P.A. system set up at the original Water Tower building by Rainbow PUSH Coalition to make their way to the front doors of the Water Tower Mall demanding entry. Police officers on bicycles blocked the entrance.

The second wave of protesters was lead by Rainbow PUSH which included members of the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU marching separately and approximately 30 minutes behind the first group. There was a distinct difference in this group with protesters being older and more seasoned. They gathered at the steps of the old Water Tower where elder Black public officials stood including Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., Congressman Bobby L. Rush, Commissioner Robert Steele, Congressman Danny Davis and other notable figures.

Addressing the group that included a large group of media and press, Reverend Jackson began to engage the crowd with his signature chant, 'I am somebody.'

Within three minutes of Jackson's political cry to arms, community activist from the West Side immediately interrupted him—shouting, 'Indict Rham!'. This kind of outburst is not surprising because the source is a familiar personality that pushes the buttons of public officials in high profile situations—often questioning their agenda. In this case, his behavior wasn't just merely a cry for press coverage. That day, his agitation became the hidden feelings that centered around the concern of many younger protesters, often feeling left out of the process of political negotiation when it comes to proper representation.

The third wave marchers included younger protesters who dispersed themselves strategically along Michigan Ave. in smaller groups to block entrances of key retail stores. This group was also more diverse in numbers and carried over from the first night of protests. For them, it was important to take part in this particular march—many experiencing the power of protest for the first time. From the Black Youth Project 100, #LetUsBreath Collective, Fearless Leading by the Youth (FLY) to Black Lives Matter (BLM) and other groups—the new model of protest has transcended from a demand of social justice to the influence of social media.

BYP100 Organizer Rachel Williams said, “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.”

With protest marches taking place throughout the Thanksgiving holiday and for the next few days, each group has understood the importance of maintaining the basic blueprint that have been practiced by fearless leaders before them. The power of practicing 'peaceful' protest.

At age 22, Terry felt the need to participate in the Black Friday march as a way to show his distaste for the latest occurrences that have taken place in his backyard. He had to take a stand. He said, “As an African-American male, I am one step below an endangered species because endangered species actually have organizations that care about them. I'm out here to raise awareness to people who aren't in the streets-- this is happening to people that look like me, regardless of whether you acknowledge or not. It is still happening and people are dying. The cops don't see anything but color in the city of Chicago.” Being a part of the new movement of young, civil activists; he believes his generation must take a stand now and not later.

He explained. “I had to come on my own and I encouraged my friends to come. If it meant taking off from work—it was important to be a part of the protests. Why not do this while I'm young? When you get older, they say, 'the world breaks the soul of a Black man'. So, why not do this while I'm still young.”

In light of the latest scrutiny of how CPD handled the dashboard cameras in the McDonald case with no audio appearing on the video, the city will expand its current body-worn camera program.

On Sunday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Superintendent Garry McCarthy announced that the city will expand the program into six additional police districts by mid-2016. Body-worn cameras are small video cameras typically attached to an officer’s clothing and are used to record audio and video of certain police activities. This program will be paid for with a $1.1 million grant from the United States Department of Justice, matched by $1.1 million in City funds.

Since Sunday's announcement, on Monday, a bond hearing was held and after a Cook CountyJudge viewed the dash-cam of Laquan McDonald – he set Officer Van Dyke's bail at $1.5 million. Without hesitation, his father posted the $150, 000 cashier's bond required to release until his trial. This is one of the straws to break the camel's back and under the pressure of public opinion specifically from the Black community—Tuesday's major announcement included Mayor Emanuel firing McCarthy after 4 ½ years as the Chicago Police Superintendent.

Chicago is known as the city of broad shoulders but there is only so much that our shoulders can bear. Across the city, tension is high and will remain that way unless there is change in our justice system and accountability with our legislators. There is a new order of strength, a new sense of empowerment and new movement of social awareness. Our youth have spoken, now they must be heard.

(Backstory: This story was never published in its original form due to irreconcilable differences with the Editor who chose to ad modify my story without notifying me while adding her byline. I chose to have my byline. Here is the original story which covered the Black Friday protest. )