Justice Is the Boulder We Push
CRS and our member congregation, Urban Village Church, Wicker Park, co-hosted a virtual gathering on October 23. This online meeting set out to educate our network on the battle to end pretextual traffic stops in Chicago and empower folks to mobilize because, as asserted before, when we fight, we win.
First Job Openings with CCPSA
You can now apply to first job openings with the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability: First Deputy Director, Deputy Director for the Commission, and Executive Administrative Assistant.
CRS Celebrates and Continues to Demand Systemic Change!
While these new laws bring us steps closer to the Illinois we want to live in, the work is not done. All of us must continue to do the good work of organizing our communities, taking action and demanding meaningful change!
Thank You To The Alderpeople Who Supported The ECPS Ordinance!
On July 21, 2021 The Empowering Communities for Public Safety Ordinance passed! This achievement could not have happened without your involvement and the support of these Alderpeople. Please take the time to thank them.
Devotion in Celebration of the People's Ordinance (ECPS) Passing
by Rev. Karen Mooney, Executive Co-Director - Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of IL
A New and Necessary Approach to Addressing Chicago’s Violence
Chicago has experienced an unprecedented amount of violence in recent months. As we enter into the Fourth of July weekend, the violence continues, and calls for immediate action have been heard throughout the City. To get to the root of the violence, however, we must change our approach to public safety.
Community Police oversight plans face ‘tight’ vote as showdown nears
The coalition behind the Empowering Communities for Public Safety ordinance, which is expected to be filed as a substitute to the Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability ordinance (SO2019-4132), including aldermen and labor leaders, criticized Lightfoot’s proposal during a news conference Thursday and said they expect a vote on police oversight in June.
Latino Caucus Endorses the GAPA-CPAC Unity Ordinance
The Latino Caucus of the Chicago City Council has voted to endorse the civilian police oversight ordinance backed by the Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability (GAPA) and the coalition for a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC).
Adam Toledo Complied, He Should Not Have Died
Another indelible image of police murdering an unarmed person of color leaves us perplexed. Chicago Police Officer Eric Stillman shot 13-year-old Adam Toledo less than a second AFTER Adam dropped the gun and had BOTH hands up. In other words, the young man complied.
The System Meant to Protect the People is Failing
The trial of Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd, the torture of Gerald Reed at the hands of police who was freed after 31 years of being wrongfully imprisoned, the wrongful raid of Anjanette Young. We continue to hear how the police engage in deeply traumatizing behavior. The only way to stop this senseless violence and injustice is by changing the system that allows for such violence to occur.
Mayor Lightfoot, Get Out of the Way!
On February 21, 2019, Chicago police burst into the apartment of an innocent black woman, Anjanette Young, based on a faulty tip, handcuffing her while she was naked, forcing her to stand in full view of male officers as they searched her home. It took 22 months for the video to surface and Ms. Young’s voice to be heard.
We Demand a Stop to Wrongful Raids by the Chicago Police Department
Too often, police break into homes with guns pointing, shouting expletives and frightening innocent children and families.
An Open Letter of Lament and Call to Action in Solidarity with Anjanette Young
The Chicago Police Department’s invasion of Anjanette Young’s home and disregard of her pleas is systemic degradation.
Commentary: Chicago’s police must do more to protect human rights
When the city of Chicago rejected the vast majority of the recommendations of the Use of Force Working Group for reforming the policies of the Chicago Police Department, it once again chose to rely on the status quo rather than engage in meaningful reform.
A Moment for Change and Justice
Breonna Taylor was a beautiful young woman, who life was tragically taken away. This is enough to cry out for justice.
A Lament for the Terror
Let us lament in the face of languishing injustices, hatred, racism and brokenness that are part of our lives and part of our world.
We Must Breathe
“We must breathe” is a prophetic proclamation affirming self-worth and a righteous charge in the face of violence against Black and Brown bodies and lives.
Dear Mayor, Adopt the GAPA Ordinance
I joined CRS’ Police Accountability issue team because a police officer profiled and assaulted my son outside our home in Northlake, Illinois.
Naked Before the Lord: A Song for My People
God, you are the light of my life and the lover of my soul. You are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. You know all, see all, and care for all.