The great uncle of a black teen shot sixteen times by white Chicago cop calls for the Federal Government’s involvement in a national summit on urban violence, poverty and police brutality.
—
Despite news reports, Mr. Laquan McDonald, the 17 year-old black teenager shot sixteen times by white Chicago police officer Mr. Jason Van Dyke, had a family and what they want now, besides the resignation of Cook County State’s Attorney Ms. Anita Alaverez, is the Federal Government’s participation in a national summit on urban violence, poverty and police brutality, centered in a community devoid of resources.
Mr. McDonald’s great uncle, Pastor Marvin Hunter of Grace Memorial Church in North Lawndale, last week at a press conference inside the place of worship where the deceased was laid to rest said that change was needed at the federal level, suggesting that the teen’s murder was a result of a longstanding, real and often ignored nationwide problem: racism.
Pastor Hunter asserted that Mr. McDonald was a victim of overkill for no other reason than because he was black and that across the country are those who face police terror because they, too, have black skin and are impoverished.
In Chicago, that commonality is not only evident through media reports and statistics, but it is the true cause of why thousands of Chicagoans filled the streets in the name of Mr. McDonald with various forms of protest following the release of a video showing the fatal October shooting.
“They weren’t marching because they were in love with Laquan. They were marching because they could feel the pain,” Pastor Hunter said.
At all of the protests in the City there’s been a call for the resignation of Mr. Rahm Emanuel, the Mayor, and Ms. Alaverez. Today, however, Pastor Hunter singled out the embattled State’s Attorney, saying he holds her accountable and that she “forfeited the moral high ground.”
Both politicians, denying a cover-up, said they have no plans to give into demands.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Mr. Charles Ramsey, who is from Chicago, today said Mr. Emanuel shouldn’t resign because of one incident, citing the fact that voters just re-hired him and if they were truly unhappy, that should’ve been reflected in the voter turnout.
“Quite a few of the protesters probably didn’t go vote,” Mr. Ramsey said on Fox 29’s ‘Good Day Philadelphia.’
The Pastor, who said the protesters aided the grieving process as it made them all feel like one big family, suggested the problem is bigger than who was voted for and who sits in the State’s Attorney’s Office.
“We need to change a corrupt culture,” he said.
Pastor Hunter said President Barack Obama, who was not asked to attend to summit, was once on the forefront of change: “his campaign was change,” he said.
That change, from the way Pastor Hunter spoke, hasn’t materialized for him, his large family and those he represents.
“We want a change to come to Chicago,” said the pastor, who noted that the suffering of citizens is not due to their own efforts, but rather policies.
Despite the press conference having a feeling of sadness and a tone of reflection, Pastor Hunter was somewhat optimistic, saying “he feels a change in the air,” and a bit militant, stating that “America and Chicago’s chickens are coming home to roost.”
‘Exploring Generations of Black Activism,’ a live broadcast featuring black male thought-leaders on Saturday, December 19th, 2015 beginning at 1pm EST and heard exclusively on www.TheDrVibeShow.com, will be moderated by Christopher “Flood the Drummer” Norris.
Thanks for reading. Until next time, I’m Flood the Drummer® & I’m Drumming for JUSTICE!™
Christopher, you and I know that if the mayor was white, there would be no discussions regarding a resignation. And you and I both know that Rom will be getting a pass on this one. Grass roots is a good thing but in the City of chicago, when those roots are grown in a political machine, tings don’t get done.
I struggle with what the Pastor said about change. Chicago is known nationally for its gang violence and murders. I grew up in Lawndale and it’s not a good place to live.