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Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said video of weekend clashes between police and protesters shows a “concerted effort” by protesters to provoke a backlash from police
CHICAGO – The Chicago Police Commissioner defended the actions of his officers during the weekend’s clashes with protesters, saying Monday they acted professionally in the face of a “concerted effort” by those in the the crowd trying to provoke a violent confrontation with them.
Video footage shows people in the crowd wearing gas masks, changing clothes to hide their identities, and putting on umbrellas, a tactic seen in recent protests aimed at protecting people throwing projectiles at people. agents, Superintendent David Brown told reporters.
“From what I saw, they only took appropriate action when faced with violence,” he said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot praised the department’s response to Saturday night’s protest that turned into a violent clash between protesters and police, saying police quickly cracked down on violence to protect peaceful protesters.
But a number of activists and lawmakers condemned the officers’ actions, saying the officers were the aggressors.
“The CPD pulverized and beat protesters, young people and members of the press,” Berto Aguayo, executive director of Raise the Peace, said in a statement released to news organizations. “We demand an apology from the Chicago Police Department and the Mayor Office for violating our rights to peacefully assemble and for their heinous attacks on peaceful protesters.”
Brown said police made 24 arrests and four of those arrested have been charged with crimes. Among the four were a 24-year-old man who was indicted after allegedly hitting an officer in uniform with a megaphone and a 25-year-old man who allegedly hit an officer with a skateboard. The other two were a 24-year-old woman who allegedly attempted to steal a camera that had been removed from an officer’s uniform during the protest and an 18-year-old student who was charged with aggravated battery after allegedly attempting to twice grabbing the arm of a high ranking member of the department.
Ahead of Monday’s press conference, the department released a video on Saturday that showed a man hitting an officer with a skateboard. The move was part of a larger effort to get as many people as possible to see what happened during the August 10 protest and looting in downtown Chicago.
The department, which created what it called a task force on looting, announced last week that it was posting videos in the hope that people would recognize those who smashed store windows or walked away. seized goods and other articles.
One of the first videos published was of two men breaking into an ATM with a hammer. This video led to the arrest of a local man who police say broadcast the crime live. Arron Neal, 20, has been charged with felony for property damage and burglary.
Police released an avalanche of press releases that included photographs of people who participated in last week’s looting and photos of people arrested for allegedly doing so – a signal that the department is trying to honor the mayor’s wish to to follow. and arrest those who participate in street violence.
In all, Brown said the public’s advice after the videos were posted resulted in 11 arrests related to violence and street looting last week.
Brown said that between 6 p.m. Friday and midnight Sunday, 51 people were shot, including five fatally, in 38 shooting incidents. He said four minors were shot but none of them were killed.
Meanwhile, general weekend violence in Chicago was not as prevalent as it was on recent weekends. Despite this, Brown said that between 6 p.m. Friday and midnight Sunday, 51 people were shot, including five fatally, in 38 shooting incidents. He said four minors were shot but none of them were killed.
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