POLICE URGED TO BAG ASSAULT RIFLES
Protesters: If cops get bigger guns, criminals will follow suit
December 12, 2008
BY LISA DONOVAN Staff Reporter
A parade of 150 protesters, many of them Chicago teens, slowly made their way into a public meeting at Chicago Police headquarters Thursday night, voicing in unison their displeasure with the police department's increased firepower: "1, 2, 3, 4, No more M4s!"
The group, whose members are part of the Live in Peace Campaign, was referring to the powerful M4 carbines that police brass said earlier this year would be given to officers to match the powerful weapons now in the hands of criminals.
About 150 protesters voiced their displeasure with the Chicago police department's use of M4s, like the one seen here, at a public meeting Thursday night.
(AP)
Jose Juarez, 16, who lives in the Marquette Park neighborhood and attends Gage Park High School, was among the protesters attending the monthly Chicago Police Board meeting at 35th and Michigan. He wanted to voice fears that if police increase their firepower, the criminals will follow suit.
In April, officials announced that the police force's 13,500 officers would be armed with the M4s. Chicago Police SWAT teams are already equipped with M4 carbines, but officials say pistol-carrying rank-and-file officers are out-gunned.
Used by the U.S. Marine Corps, the M4 is an assault rifle that fires more shots in less time than a conventional handgun.
Freya Enriquez, 15, a Pilsen resident and student at Cristo Rey High School, added: "We're here to protect our neighborhoods and let them know that bringing these guns into our communities could be dangerous for kids, not only the few that are criminals, but those in the community."
Many of the students grumbled when they learned Supt. Jody Weis was not at the meeting. A spokeswoman for Weis couldn't be reached for comment.
"This is the community's chance to voice concerns about Chicago Police, and it's highly insulting to our campaign and to the public that he wasn't here," said Christan Bufford, 21, of Marquette Park. Organizers did say they're meeting with Weis on Dec. 22.
December 12, 2008
BY LISA DONOVAN Staff Reporter
A parade of 150 protesters, many of them Chicago teens, slowly made their way into a public meeting at Chicago Police headquarters Thursday night, voicing in unison their displeasure with the police department's increased firepower: "1, 2, 3, 4, No more M4s!"
The group, whose members are part of the Live in Peace Campaign, was referring to the powerful M4 carbines that police brass said earlier this year would be given to officers to match the powerful weapons now in the hands of criminals.
About 150 protesters voiced their displeasure with the Chicago police department's use of M4s, like the one seen here, at a public meeting Thursday night.
(AP)
Jose Juarez, 16, who lives in the Marquette Park neighborhood and attends Gage Park High School, was among the protesters attending the monthly Chicago Police Board meeting at 35th and Michigan. He wanted to voice fears that if police increase their firepower, the criminals will follow suit.
In April, officials announced that the police force's 13,500 officers would be armed with the M4s. Chicago Police SWAT teams are already equipped with M4 carbines, but officials say pistol-carrying rank-and-file officers are out-gunned.
Used by the U.S. Marine Corps, the M4 is an assault rifle that fires more shots in less time than a conventional handgun.
Freya Enriquez, 15, a Pilsen resident and student at Cristo Rey High School, added: "We're here to protect our neighborhoods and let them know that bringing these guns into our communities could be dangerous for kids, not only the few that are criminals, but those in the community."
Many of the students grumbled when they learned Supt. Jody Weis was not at the meeting. A spokeswoman for Weis couldn't be reached for comment.
"This is the community's chance to voice concerns about Chicago Police, and it's highly insulting to our campaign and to the public that he wasn't here," said Christan Bufford, 21, of Marquette Park. Organizers did say they're meeting with Weis on Dec. 22.
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The mission of The Gathering is to build an Intergenerational, movement, rooted in history, cultures and non-violent direct action to heal communities, build collective strength and generate an environment of hope and opportunity.
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
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"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
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