SURJ Chicago & #TheBluestLie Collaborative picket City Hall
MEDIA ALERT - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SURJ: Showing Up for Racial Justice
The Bluest Lie Collaborative
HAPPENING NOW: SURJ Chicago & #TheBluestLie Collaborative picket City Hall
WHO: Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is leading this picket, in support of #TheBluestLie Collaborative
WHAT: SURJ organizers are picketing, canvassing and speaking out as endorsers of #TheBluestLie Campaign, to rescind ordinance #4878 in City Council. In the face of an ever mounting city-wide police accountability crisis, the proposed ordinance would expand the Municipal Hate Crimes law to cover current and former police, firefighters and first responders.
WHERE: Chicago City Hall, 121 N LaSalle st. (Exterior)
WHEN: Monday, July 11th at 7:30 a.m.
WHY: The passage of this ordinance would adversely impact citizens’ ability to advocate for First Amendment protections, political dissent and genuine pathways to police accountability. There is currently no path to charge an on-duty law enforcement officer with a hate crime, yet this ordinance would deepen their pre-existing “Blue Code of Silence” protections from accountability as public servants. Anyone having an “adverse encounter” with police could potentially experience a hate crime charge - a felony carrying 6 months imprisonment and a $2,500 fine.
Follow @jbyrd130 and @SURJchicago on Social Media: #TheBluestLie
Will fighting for police accountability be labeled a hate crime?
SURJ Chicago & #TheBluestLie Collaborative picket City Hall over “Blue Lives” Ordinance.
Chicago, IL: Members of the Chicago affiliate of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) are endorsing efforts of #TheBluestLie Collaborative, by picketing City Hall on Monday, July 11, 2016 at 7:30 A.M. to denounce Ordinance #4878, announced in City Council a week ago. In the face of an ever mounting city-wide police accountability crisis, the proposed ordinance would cover current and former police, firefighters and first responders under the Municipal Hate Crimes law.
Criminalizing civil disobedience is a long standing tactic toward eroding non-violent movements for social change. Charges of “assaulting an officer” and “trespassing” placed on protesters have become routine. If ordinance #4878 passes a City Council vote, anyone having an “adverse encounter” with police could potentially experience a hate crime charge - a felony carrying 6 months imprisonment and a $2,500 fine.
#TheBluestLie Collaborative is campaigning to stop this ordinance, and other legislative efforts that adversely impact citizens’ ability to advocate for First Amendment protections, political dissent and genuine pathways to police accountability. There is currently no path to charge an on-duty law enforcement officer with a hate crime, yet this ordinance would deepen their pre-existing “Blue Code of Silence” protections from accountability as public servants.
A SURJ Chicago organizer notes, “We’re going to City Hall as part of SURJ’s nationwide Call to Action as we stand in opposition to [14th Ward] Alderman Burke’s efforts to criminalize dissent. We want City Council to know we won't let them buy #TheBluestLie.”
Led by Burke, the aldermen co-sponsoring this ordinance in Chicago City Council’s Public Safety Committee are all previous law enforcement officers and first responders, most of whom receive campaign contributions from firefighter and police unions. Among them are Willie Cochran (20th Ward), Vice Chairman of the Public Safety Committee; 38th Ward Alderman Nick Sposato and 41st Ward Alderman Anthony Napolitano.
As an organization committed to mobilizing white people for racial justice, SURJ Chicago members are concerned that the proposed expansion of the hate crimes ordinance could be used to disproportionately target organizers of color who are critical of police misconduct. Another SURJ Organizer adds, “Over the past 2 years, we’ve followed the lead of black organizers in showing up for racial justice and making our city safer by holding CPD accountable. This time, we’re going to City Hall to defend their rights to organize and protect the progress they’ve won.”
Three ways to get involved:
SIGN + SHARE the petition at www.bit.ly/TheBluestLiePetition
CALL + TWEET the Public Safety Committee. Find contact information and phone script here: http://bit.ly/BluestLiePhoneIn
CONTACT your Alderman and urge them to OPPOSE Ordinance #4878 if it gets out of committee. Find your Alderman here: bit.ly/YourWardChi
About Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/
Through community organizing, mobilizing and education, SURJ moves white people to act as part of a multi-racial majority for justice with passion and accountability. We work to connect people across the country while supporting and collaborating with local and national racial justice organizing efforts. SURJ provides a space to build relationships, skills and political analysis to act for change. We envision a society where we struggle together with love, for justice, human dignity and a sustainable world.
https://www.facebook.com/SURJChicago
https://twitter.com/SURJchicago
#TheBluestLie Collaborative is lit and led by young Black Chicagoans committed to each others’ autonomy, liberation and abundant futures. We are a rapid response team from different neighborhoods, organizations and spaces. Follow us at http://thebluestliechi.tumblr.com. Receive updates by liking our Facebook page at www.bit.ly/BluestLieFacebook.
