AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/laquan-mcdonald/)
A virtual briefing on public safety and policing was held this week that covered the city’s newly passed civilian oversight ordinance and also touched on the alternate response model that calls for more involvement by mental health professionals.
Columnist John W. Fountain III urges us not to forget about Kalief Browder, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Eric Garner. The conviction on Friday of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in the shooting death of teen Laquan McDonald is no cause for celebration, Fountain writes.
A day before the third anniversary of teenager Laquan McDonald being shot to death by a Chicago cop, members of the Central Austin Neighborhood Association and activists from Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR) demanded changes of the city’s top law-enforcement officials.
Pat Quinn asked members of the South Austin Coalition Community Council to sign onto his referendum ballot proposal that seeks to limit Chicago’s mayor to two terms.
Audience members, who included several elected officials, lamented the police shootings last week in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas.
Rep. La Shawn Ford, the author of HB6266, is hopeful the Illinois House will soon vote on the measure; the Senate also would need to approve it.
AustinTalks has exclusive coverage of Wednesday’s town hall at Hope Community Church.
Early voting continues through Monday, while polls on Election Day will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Austin state Rep. La Shawn Ford and dozens of others gathered last week to discuss the recently proposed legislation, which faces several hurdles.
Community members renew their call for Rahm Emanuel to resign while the mayor promises reform.