CHICAGO (May 31, 2020) – The Chicago Progressive Reform Caucus condemns the killing of George Floyd, and calls for swift justice and accountability for his death by officers of the Minneapolis Police Department.
“We cannot begin to describe the pain and anguish of seeing George Floyd dying under the knee of a police officer,” said Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza. “Our condolences go out to the family of Mr. Floyd, and the countless others who have been affected by this event – we cannot tolerate a system which makes his death acceptable at the hands of law enforcement.”
“For far too long, we have had individuals detained, brutalized, and even killed by police officers, not because of criminal activity, but because of the color of their skin. This has to stop. Black lives matter! An accusation should not equal the death penalty,” said Alderman Sophia King.
The Chicago Progressive Reform Caucus has repeatedly called for systematic reforms to curb and eliminate the pattern of police brutality which is pervasive in Chicago, and across the United States of America. Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer, Chairman of the Committee on Health and Human Relations, has introduced a resolution calling upon the Lightfoot administration to introduce critical reforms to the CPD police union contract, which is now in its third year of negotiations.
“George Floyd’s death is part of a consistent pattern of behavior which we know all too well in Chicago,” said Alderman Sawyer “The Progressive Caucus is proposing measures – anonymous reporting, consideration of past abuses, strengthening investigative powers – which will break the code of silence that protects officers who commit the kinds of acts which lead to the deaths of people like George Floyd.”
“Enough is enough,” said Alderman Maria Hadden. “From Hegewisch to Rogers Park, from Downtown to Austin, if we want to honor the memories of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, and all victims of police brutality, we need to end systematic racism in our police departments. Chicago needs to lead, and we can’t wait anymore.”
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