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.
We Put the System on Trial
Marcellus Khaliifah Williams was slain, and the whole criminal injustice system is on trial. As people of faith and goodwill, let’s feel our anger, frustration, and zeal for justice. This is important. Then, we should alchemize this into action. All these systems of oppression are connected, and we stand together for justice.
Commissioner Nominations 2024 Nominating Committee Process Report
On May 14, 2024, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will introduce his seven appointees for the CCPSA to the City Council Committee on Police and Fire. In anticipation of this important milestone in the Commission selection process, the District Council Nominating Committee proudly presents its comprehensive process report. Read the report here.
Traffic Stop Resources
As CRS calls on transparent conversations about the Chicago Police Department’s use of excessive force in relationship to Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of our Beloved city, we share a list of traffic stop resources in partnership with the ACLU of Illinois.
Chicago Alliance Initiates Campaign for Survivors of Police Torture
The undersigned are among the almost 1.5 million people who voted for you in 2016 to end the nightmare of police crimes in Black and Latino communities.
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
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).
ACLU Joint Coalition Letter Concerning Foot Pursuit Policy Development
We write this letter on behalf of the Coalition to request that the City immediately share with the Coalition the current draft Chicago Police Department (CPD) foot pursuit policy…
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.
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.