CHICAGO–Groups organized walkouts across the country on Monday to stand in solidarity with the Ferguson communities affected by police violence.
Students left class at noon and employees walked out of work. Twitter users added the hashtag #HandsUpWalkOut to remind people that what happened to Mike Brown, the unarmed teenager who was fatally shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, is a part of a much bigger issue.
Since the grand jury decided to not indict Wilson, protesters have continued to find ways to express their frustration with the criminal justice system. On Black Friday, thousands, if not more, only supported Black owned businesses.
And on Monday a group of nearly 50 began their walkout at the Lutheran School of Theology, 1100 E. 55th St. Participants marched the five blocks to President Barack Obama’s Hyde Park home.
“We want him to understand that we, right here in Chicago, are extremely angry about what’s going on and that he needs to start making an impact that will affect the federal, state and local level,” Kwame Pitts, the Master of Divinity student organizer said.
LaShondra Stephens, a McCormick Theological student said that to see change, it will take more than just protesting. She said that people need to vote, unite and take action.
“It’s not just protesting, but it’s also about showing up at the poles, it’s also being there for families who have lost loved ones because of violence,” she said. “It’s also about standing together with the church community and then it’s about educating others on what they can do to make a difference,” Stephens said.
Some might see this as a Black issue, but people from other backgrounds and ethnicities have stood behind African American protesters.
Mary Kathryn Dean is one of them. She is also a student at McCormick and attended some of the rallies in Ferguson back in October. She said that as a member of the LGBT community, she has experienced oppression. At the same time, she said she has benefited from white privilege.
“I believe that Christ would stand with the oppressed and if I want people to stand with me when I’m fighting, then I have to stand with everybody while they’re fighting as well,” she said.
A few hours after the national movement, Obama addressed the nation. He said that he is creating a task force. Members will look into different police practices and listen to recommendations by faith-based and community leaders.
Some of the changes he wants to implement include:
1. Adding 50,000 police body cameras
2. Making an executive order into police “militarization” because currently, some military suited equipment goes to local law enforcement.
3. Expanding community policing–The White House administration announced a $263 million plan that will help with community policing. The funds will disperse over three years. The goal is to create more trust between communities and local law enforcement.
Patricia Bartley is a mother of two sons and even though they are adults, she said that Black men of all ages still experience racism. It’s hard to trust the police, she said. Bartley walked out of work to march with the others because she wants to see justice.
“This is a racist society, it’s a systemic thing and things need to change,” she said.
About Post Author
