LOCAL News :: Crime & Police
Cabrini Residents to Protest at Police Headquarters Tonight
Police Shooting of 14-Year-Old Enrages Community
Protest at 7 PM Tonight (Thursday)
3510 S. Michigan Avenue
Cabrini-Green residents angry about the recent police shooting of four bullets into the body of 14-year-old Ellis Woodland, Jr. will stage a protest at 7 PM tonight outside of Police Headquarters at 3510 S. Michigan Avenue. Protesters will then attend the Police Board meeting inside, scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM. The Police Board is charged with disciplining officers who are guilty of misconduct.
Several media outlets have commented on the palpable rage among many Cabrini residents following Woodland’s August 7th shooting, and the apparent feeling that his shooting was but the latest in a string of insults to the rapidly gentrifying community.
When over 300 Cabrini youth marched on City Hall recently, they were met with a line of police officers and locked doors to the normally open facility. A small contingent was later let inside the building.
Among those speaking at tonight’s protest will be:
-- Ellis Woodland, Jr.’s parents;
-- Maurice Taylor, another alleged teenage victim of police abuse;
-- Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., Prisoners of Conscience Committee;
-- Paul McKinley, a member of V.O.T.E .and Voice of the Ex-offenders;
-- Mark Carter, a member of V.O.T.E; and
-- Willie J.R. Fleming of the Hip Hop Congress and the Coalition to Protect Public Housing.
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