More than 100 residents of Chicago’s West Side gathered during a community meeting Monday night to express anger and outrage over what they say is a continual pattern of police brutality against African-Americans.
The meeting, called in response to allegations that an 18-year-old was severely beaten by two Chicago police officers over the weekend, opened a powderkeg of emotions. Ministers, teenagers, elected officials, mothers and fathers warned that the latest incident may have pushed the community over the edge.
“We are tired of being mistreated,” Rev. Paul Jakes Jr. said to wild applause from the audience. “We are sending a message to the mayor and the Police Department that we will not tolerate this abuse.”
The group gathered at the Midwest Community Council headquarters, 310 N. Kedzie Ave., to discuss the alleged beating of Jeremiah Mearday. The West Side youth said he was beaten Friday night by two police officers.
The incident left Mearday with a broken jaw, shattered teeth and head injuries. Mearday’s father said his son was walking with three friends when the two officers beat him for no apparent reason.
Chicago police would not comment on the allegations Monday, but authorities have said Mearday struggled when officers attempted to arrest him. The incident is under investigation by the Police Office of Professional Standards.
As for broader allegations of brutality, police spokesman Paul Jenkins said late Monday that civilian investigators look into every allegation against an officer. “Too often people get together in these town meetings and you ask them if they called in their complaint and they say, `No, I didn’t bother,’ ” Jenkins said.
Community leaders also attacked Chicago Police Supt. Matt Rodriguez and Mayor Richard Daley.
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