Leaders React to Guilty Verdict in Ahmaud Arbery Murder
CHICAGO - In response to the guilty verdicts for the three white men on trial for the murder of a 25 year old black jogger in Brunswick Georgia, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. declared, "This is a step in the right direction in justice for Ahmaud Arbery, but the system is still broken and needs fixing." Photo by Naimah Latif
President Joe Biden issued this statement: "Ahmaud Arbery's killing - witnessed
ISU Students, Rev. Jackson Plan Protest Strategy
Rev. Jackson, His Son, Mother of Jelani Day Set to March For Justice in Death of ISU Medical Student
Normal, IL - Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and his son, Jonathan Jackson, met with scores of Illinois State University (ISU) students at the Bone Student Center, 100 N. University St. In Normal IL Thursday evening, November 4th, asking them to join a march today to demand answers on why and how 25-year-old ISU graduate student Jelani Day was murdered. “We are asking what happened to Jelani Day and demanding justice,” Rev. Jackson told the diverse group of students.
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., his son, Jonathan Jackson and the family of Jelani Day are gathering at 12 noon Friday, November 5th, at the Bloomington Police Station, 305 S. East St., Bloomington IL with a 12:30 p.m. press conference followed by a 1 p.m. march to the Illinois State University’s (ISU) Bone Student Center. Photo by John L. Alexander
Is This A Cover-Up or Hate Crime?
Fearing a cover-up in the death of her son, Carmen Bolden Day is joining Rev. Jackson, Rev. Cameron Barnes, national youth director for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and supporters in demanding answers from the Bloomington police about her son’s missing report and the medical examiners conclusion that her son allegedly committed suicide—conclusions she firmly rejects."We are marching to raise the consciousness of the Jelani Day Case,” said Rev. Jackson. “We want a thorough criminal investigation into the matter.” His son, Jonathan Jackson, is asking for the FBI and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s intervention.
“It smells like a hate crime to me, not a suicide, but a homicide,” Rev. Courtney Carson, one of the organizers of this event, said. “Why else would someone murder another human being in such a wicked way?” “It is disheartening that some would like to conclude this case as a suicide when the evidence, or lack thereof, just does not suggest that in any real logical way. Why have Jelani's so-called friends not spoken up, but got lawyered up? That's extremely strange. When a mother is looking for answers about her missing and deceased child, best friends don't go radio silent, they help,” Rev. Carson stated. That is why Rev. Jackson and Mrs. Day are calling on the FBI and Illinois Attorney Kwame Raoul to intervene and launch a thorough investigation. Rev. Jackson and Mrs. Day say there are far too many inaccuracies for the FBI not to get involved and too many inaccuracies for supporters not to stay involved in this “mysterious” case. ‘In terms of Black and Brown people, there are far too many missing children, far too many miss-handled cases, and far too many not willing to stand up and say something. We will continue to demand Justice for Jelani, and we hare marching and praying until something happens,” Rev. Carson said. Photo by John L.Alexander y
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. (center) and Rainbow PUSH National Spokesman Jonathan Jackson (right) escort Carmen Day down the path through the woods to the muddy waters where the body of her son Jelani Day was found. Members of the press and hoards of supporters follow, to get a clear view of why suggestions by local police of possible suicide don’t make any sense. Photo by John L. Alexander
The murky water under the bridge near a secluded wooded area in Peru Illinois is where two white female ISU students say they found Jelani’s clothing, but Carmen Day has recently been informed that the two students are now represented by lawyers and are advised not to discuss their findings any further. Photo by John L. Alexander
Carmen Day, joined by Rev. Jackson, makes an impassioned appeal to members of the ISU Black Student Union on the campus in Normal, IL to organize a March and rally in Peru, demanding an investigation into the death of Jelani Day. Photo by John L. Alexander
ISU Students lock arms in prayer at the end of an organizing meeting, pledging their support for a full investigation. Busloads of students participated in the following day’s rally and March held Tuesday October 26, 2021. Photo by John L. Alexander
CPD Superintendent David Brown Shares Latest Stats
During his recent visit to the White House along with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other leaders, Supt. Brown said he received assurance from President Joe Biden that Federal assistance is forthcoming to stem the flow of illegal guns to Chicago. So far this year, 6,362 guns have been recovered and of those, 321 were assault weapons, Supt. Brown said. He noted that Mayor Lightfoot said the root cause of crime will be addressed as part of the long term strategy to eradicate violent crime, which is now considered a public health issue. Photo by Naimah Latif.
Deputy Chief Angel Novalez Tells of CPD Partnerships With Community
The CPD will partner with the Chicago Park District and other organizations that provide constructive programs for youth, as a measure to give youth options and opportunities, stated Deputy Chief Angel Novales. Activities include baseball camps held at local Park Districts and field trips to sites around the city. Among those in partnership is the National Black McDonalds Operators Association. Photo by Naimah Latif.
Norman Kerr, Director of Office of Violence Reduction Says 15 High Crime Areas To Be Targeted
Police will target 15 city areas on Chicago’s South and West sides, where violent crime has been most consistent, working to interrupt violence and to mitigate retaliation before it happens, stated Norman Kerr, Director of the Office of Violence Reduction. Many of those working in partnership with police have put in long hours and late nights, on weekdays and weekends, putting themselves in harms way to ensure public safety.
“I know first hand the devastating loss that violence creates for families,“ he said. Photo by Naimah Latif.
Response To Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict: Now We Can Breathe
Bail Revoked, Could Receive Maximum Sentence of 40 Years In Prison
MINNEAPOLIS - As viewers around the world watched Judge Peter Cahill prepare to read the Jury's verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, crowds were gathered outside the courthouse and the National Guard stood ready to quell riots in case the verdict sparked massive civil unrest. The verdict of Guilty on all three counts, Second Degree Murder,Third Degree Murder and Second Degree Manslaughter, moved some to tears of relief while others shouted with joy. The May 25, 2020 killing of George Floyd is said to have sparked the largest protest movement against police brutality in the nation's history. After the verdict was read, Chauvin was led away in handcuffs.
Photo courtesy of CBS News
Jacob Blake Decision Called A "Miscarriage of Justice"
Jacob Blake Sr. Says "This Fight Is Not Over
Jacob Blake Sr. Says "This Fight Is Not Over
Jacob Blake Sr. Says "This Fight Is Not Over
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.
Jacob Blake Sr. Says "This Fight Is Not Over
Jacob Blake Sr. Says "This Fight Is Not Over
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.
Carmen Day Conducts Her Own Investigation
Carmen Day Conducts Her Own Investigation
Carmen Day Conducts Her Own Investigation
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
Rev. Jackson Notes Pattern of Hate Crimes
Carmen Day Conducts Her Own Investigation
Carmen Day Conducts Her Own Investigation
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