BRANDON JOHNSON IS ELECTED MAYOR OF CHICAGO

Reminding voters of the significance of the election date of April 4 as also the anniversary of the assassination of his father, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Martin Luther King III's endorsement of Brandon Johnson was a powerful symbol at the Pavilion rally. Photo by Parthenia Luke.

Also lending a powerful symbolic presence at the Pavilion rally was Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., who was instrumental in the election of Mayor Harold Washington and whose Presidential runs in 1984 and 1988 paved the way twenty years later for the victory of Barack Obama in 2008. Recognized as a Civil Rights icon, Rev. Jackson earlier endorsed Brandon Johnson, as did his son Congressman Jonathan Jackson. Congressman Jackson also gave a rousing speech at the rally, reminding voters of all the issues the new mayor will need to face and the importance of electing a candidate who is sensitive to the needs of all communities. Prominentcommunity activists and elected officials have been largely divided on this election, seemingly basing their choices to endorse one candidate over the other on previous political relationships.  Rally speakers reminded voters that the margin of victory was dependent upon which side got their supporters to the polls. The undecided vote is being courted by both candidates in a series of campaign ads and mailings sent daily to households throughout Chicago's communities. Photo by Parthenia Luke 

Entertainment before the speakers at the Pavilion appealed to the large contingent of youthful supporters. Photo by Parthenia Luke

An enthusiastic multi-ethnic, multi-generational crowd filled the seats at the UIC Pavilion for Brandon Johnson. Photo by Parthenia Luke.

"I am deeply honored to receive this endorsement from Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., a mentor and a friend," stated Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson. "He is an icon of our movement, a champion for impoverished and disenfranchised people, and I am humbled to have his support for my candidacy for mayor of the city we both love and call home." Friday's endorsement at Rainbow PUSH was attended by many community leaders and activists who have pledged their support for Commissioner Brandon Johnson for Mayor. Newly elected First Congressional District Congressman Jonathan Jackson had endorsed Johnson's candidacy before the first election.

While many expected voters to be divided along racial lines, clearly the loyalties to the both candidates stretch across racial, ethnic, neighborhood and even generational differences, with both candidates getting their share of endorsements from black and white prominent leaders. Congressman and former Mayoral candidate Jesus Chuy Garcia endorsed Brandon Johnson while former Mayoral candidate and activist Ja'Mal Green announced he was supporting Paul Vallas.  

"I'm honored to earn the support of Congressman Garcia and grateful for the opportunity to join our coalitions together to build a safer, stronger Chicago," stated Commissioner Johnson. 

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Moiran, Jr. strives to connect with the ball in the White Sox home opener April 3, 2023 against the San Francisco Giants. The Giants won 12-3. Photo by John L. Alexander

An enthusiastic crowd packed into Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago April 3rd to cheer their home team to victory, but instead watched as the San Francisco Giants trounced the Chicago White Sox 12-3.  San Francisco's David Villar hit two of San Francisco's seven home runs and  San Francisco pitcher Anthony DeSclafani kept the Chicago team scoreless for six innings. The original start time of the game was 3:10pm  but the start time. was pushed up an hour to 2:10pm to avoid interruption by predicted rain storms.  Photo by John L. Alexander

A crowd packed into Schottenstein Center in Columbus Ohio for the NCAA second round  held Monday March 20, 2023 in which Ohio state Beat North Carolina 71-69. Photo by John L. Alexander

Ohio State Beat North Carolina 71 -69 in the NCAA second round held Monday March 20, 2023 at Schottenstein Center in Columbus OH. Photo by John L. Alexander

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 18: North Carolina TarHeels beat St.John's Red Storm in a close game 61-59 on March 18, 2023 at Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH. Photo by John L. Alexander

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 18: North Carolina TarHeels beat St.John's Red Storm in a close game 61-59 on March 18, 2023 at Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH. Photo by John L. Alexander

Carmen Day, mother of Jelani Day, recounts how she had to do the investigation work herself after her son's body was found, going down to Peru and Bloomington to ask questions when police tried to dismiss the death of her son as a suicide by drowning. Photo by Naimah Latif

As Attorney Crump comforts a grief stricken Carmen Day, Rev. Jackson  pointed out that hate crimes are occurring often. He noted the Ahmaud Arbery case in which three white men were recently found guilty in the shooting death of a black man in Georgia.  Photo by Naimah Latif

The climate of violence in America was set by President Donald Trump, and the results have been the forming of the group "The Proud Boys" who, armed with weapons, are intimidating the citizens in Washington D.C. and appear to be trying to instigate a race war, stated Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.  The decision not to prosecute Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey for shooting unarmed Jacob Blake, Jr. in the back seven times, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down was another miscarriage of justice in an ongoing "reign of terror" by police officers, Rev. Jackson said.

Rainbow PUSH National Field Director  Bishop Tavis Grant said, "Justice has once again been delayed. Such was the case with Emmett Till. Such was the case with Medgar Evers. Such was the case with Trayvon Martin, and most recently with Breonna Taylor. The prosecutor has given us a brand of justice that represents the group that want to overturn this election, that wants to challenge our birthright, that wants to make us three fifths human."                                                                                  

Jacob Blake Sr. said regarding the decision by Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley not to prosecute the officer who shot his son, "The fight is not over." He stated that he intends to take the issue all the way to Congress and persist until there is justice.

"We understood what was going to come when they called in the National Guard. We understand what the Proud Boys are here to do." 

He stated that despite threats on his life, he will not be silenced.

 "I don't hide from anyone. I fear nothing," he said. "Now our battle must go in front of the Congress. It must go in front of the Senate. We must abolish the right for a policeman to be seen on a higher plane than the citizens of the United States.You can not have a Bill of Rights for the Police and then have a Bill of Rights for the People. We're all people. There are no big I's and little you's.  Photo by John L. Alexander.